Happy dancing, happy day!

It is the first day of school today - to say we're all excited is a slight understatement.  Hobbit can't wait to make new friends and I can't wait until we have our routine back.  She does so much better with a routine.

Today, she's dressed beautifully and even let me pull up her hair with a bow.  We still have an hour before we have to leave so we made her lunch and now she's watching a bit of television before we have to go.  I hope the afternoon storms hold off until she's home from the bus - another new adventure.  I'll drive her in the mornings but she's taking the bus home.  The mean bigger kids who used to live on our street have since left over the summer so that leaves just the little ones who live a few houses up.  She may be the oldest child at the stop this year.

I wrote her a note on a fancy card and slipped it into her lunch box so that at 12:30 this afternoon, when she's sitting down at the table, she'll have a little surprise from me.  I hope she's still at the age where getting a surprise note from Mama is exciting and not embarrassing.  Although, I would sneak them to Peanut all through school - even now I write them on Facebook page while she's away at college.  I guess I figure that I still love to get little notes from my mama so they must too... at least I hope they do.

My goal today is for this to be the first time I don't cry on the first day of school - though I'm already about to fail because I can't believe she's in third grade already... and this weekend, Peanut will be moving into her dorm for her junior year of college!  Where has the time gone?  I hope they know how proud of them I am and that my life wouldn't be nearly as wonderful without their little faces in it.

So here's to a brand new year full of possibilities and adventures - Happy first day of school!!

Sunday Snaps

Yep - enjoying the last day of summer because it's finally a school night!

Weekend Wonderment

I think this will make for a very nice weekend - reading, lace and blankies.

I plan on doing a little of everything this weekend.  A little reading each night, working a little on my squishy blankie, and a little on my lace shawl.  It is going to be very relaxing.

It is Important

It appears to be a theme with me this month, doesn't it.  Working a day late on everything.  I can make excuses - and they're good, see...

1. School starts on Monday so we're getting ready.
2. Sorting is happening at HPKCHC and I'm a minion.
3. I'm still getting used to my work schedule and feeling constantly worn out.

That's all I've got but they're good excuses as to why things have been off... except that I despise excuses.  Every time I hear an excuse for anything, I think of this...

Found on Pinterest a very long time ago and it stuck with me.

So no matter "how good" the excuse is, it's still just an excuse... and I don't like them.  Now, it's Thursday and I think the above the moment could be considered a motivational moment (work with me people) so that takes care of Monday.  I just learned about this artist and wanted to share...


Fully awesome, I know.  Best way to be forgiven for Tuesday is by posting an awesome video today... lol.  So that bring us to Wednesday (which I honestly thought today was until I remembered all the errands we ran yesterday for Wednesday) and Wednesday is wound-up of current projects so here goes...

Here they sit, patiently waiting as I carry them from the sofa to the office and back again, every day...

My bag, my blankie toy and my shawl... all getting a little love over the week.  Very little love.

Which brings us to today.  Thursday.  Nibbles and Narratives day.  I did not cook anything new this week but today I am making a family favorite - Turkey Corn Soup.  Though I am using chicken for this batch because I just want chicken.  I have turkey chopped up in the freezer but this time, I'm hankering for chicken.  I actually need to get it started so it can simmer this afternoon.  As far as reading goes, I'm so ashamed that all I can do is show you...

Yep, I've not picked it up this past week.  It's going to live by my bedside table now so I will read it tonight!

Haha!  See, that little saying from the top of the post is right... if something is important, you find a way.  I just did an entire week's worth of series on one post because it was important to me to get back on track.

Tomorrow, I'll show my plans for the weekend!  I promise!!

Sunday Snaps

I seem to be running a day late lately, don't I... oh well - better late than never...

I started a new shawl.  I've named it "Stroll Around the Castle" since it has every house color in it.

Started a new bag too - isn't this yarn amazing!

Hobbit's room is clean and ready to start the school year (next Monday!)

I got a little silly with my camera and a prompt named "peek-a-boo"

I braved the elements in my ever illusive 'lightening shot'... and I'm afraid of storms!

I was gifted beautiful yarn from...

two beautiful souls.  I'm very blessed to know them.

Busy week ahead...

Shawls and blankets and dresses - oh my!

Fibery goodness

Y'all know that I normally do a "Weekend Wonderment" segment and show you what I have planned on the crafting front but today I have to share some of the beautiful things that have be bestowed upon me as of late.

I know that a lot of people think it is silly or odd that I am so invested in my Ravelry group, Harry Potter Knitting and Crochet House Cup, but if you are in the know then you get it.  The students and staff are so amazing that you don't want to go anywhere else.  You can spend hours just talking to your friends and enjoying the silliness of it all or gather around for support during a difficult time.  It is unusual that an online community as large as this one would be drama free... but it is and it's amazing.  This is a group of men (yes, I said men) and women, ages 8 to 80, who just want to have a good time and craft along together.

My role is that of a Mentor to the Not Quite First Year students, also known as NQFYs.  I, along with the most amazing partner a girl could ever hope for, help these students learn how to play our game while they wait to be sorted into their houses.  Everything is covered, from how to do Ravelry basics like photos and linking items all the way to figuring out class prompts and OWL ideas.  We never get an off month and things are always hopping in the Waiting Room.  Each term we honor one of our rising First Years to be a peer mentor as well and we have been spoiled this past term!

Students always send owls of thanks for helping them along the way or they make a post in the Waiting Room, earburning us to it so we can see.  It always warms my heart that I am able to share my love of this game to others who can then go out and do great things within our version of Hogwarts.  This past term, I have been showered with beautiful gifts from students - either NQFYs or ones who have already been sorted.  I won't share names, as some are shy and I would not want to embarrass them in the least, but I will share my gratitude for what all they have done.  This week has had me in tears over the kindness of my friends at Hogwarts... it truly is my home.  Take a look at the wonderful gifts that have been bestowed upon me lately -

I was trying to deconstruct a pattern that was in here and a sweet friend gifted me a digital copy of it!

(c)Pandia's Jewels - I was gifted this pattern for Miss Bennet's Walking Shawl so I could join a CAL!

One of my sweet NQFYs sent this as a surprise in the mail to say thanks for all I do as a Mentor.

One of my colleagues sent me this from Hermione Jean Creations as a thanks for always being there for her.

There is one thing about crafters that is universally true - they are the sweetest, kindest and most generous people that I have ever had the honor of knowing.  Thank you for being a part of my life... each and every one of you.  You constantly provide truth and examples to the adage that if you put good things out into the world, good things will be returned to you.  Thank you for being a blessing in my life.

Wednesday Wound-Up.. on Thursday

I managed to get Hobbit's room in order yesterday before school starts next Monday.  Hopefully, it will stay this way!

I'm gently rolling along on my new Autumnal bag.  Adding a round whenever I have a minute.

There was an accident and I lost a blanket that I was making for a friend.  Pokey got me replacement yarn for a new project.

That's been my productivity so far this week.  I've also volunteered to be a part of the Slytherin Baby Blanket Brigade so hopefully I will have a package delivered to me soon that has some squares to be joined - a perfect project to work on while I'm at work because I won't get flustered if I have to put it down.

I hope everyone has been having an awesome day - and yes, I know it's Thursday but by the time I finished Hobbit's room yesterday, I was too mentally exhausted to form a coherent sentence.  Don't worry though, I will hopefully have some time to read my new book and get back to the regular post next Thursday - although I will be in Downtown Disney having lunch with a friend but I can schedule it all the same.

Tuesday Tunes

I love that they are so humble, they can poke fun at themselves like this. It reminds us all that no one is so important and that we should all take a step back and see the bigger picture. Enjoy one of my most favorite bands and have a great big giggle at their expense, just as they intended.

Golly gee, thanks!

I must say, I'm a bit amazed at the response from 11's Fez yesterday.  Almost 50 downloads and it's not been 24 hours... thanks!  It's funny how those things work, isn't it.  You make a silly hat for your kid and figure that you'd write it up for a giggle, not thinking anyone will actually want to make one, and then you get such an amazing response.  Nice to see I'm not the only nerd in these parts.

I started a new project yesterday - a bag for Autumn.  I am loving it too, which is not something I would normally say over such a simple pattern.  It's basically just a super huge granny square but it was a pattern that I had on my Pinterest crochet board and it just called to me yesterday.  I also had this fabulous yarn that I desperately wanted to use but didn't have enough to make something wearable so I decided that I was going to make this bag and a matching hat.  I'm over the moon excited about it and I can't wait to show you it all finished up.  Here's a sneak peak at how beautiful the yarn is working up though -

Seriously, couldn't you just die over how fabulous this colorway is working out?  It's Elliebelly Yarns in Fire Dragon.

I have yet to figure out what I'm going to do on the lining front - I think maybe I might carry the burnt orange feel over to the inside as well.  The handles have me perplexed as well - should I go bamboo rings or perhaps a darker simple squared off handle would be better?  I'm leaning towards the rings but instead of bamboo, possibly just clear instead.  Any suggestions?

Free Pattern - 11's Fez

I have a treat for everyone - and since today is the day that we learn who the new Doctor will be, I thought it only appropriate to release it now.  I designed a fez for Hobbit because 11 is her favorite Doctor and fezzes are cool.  I do hope y'all enjoy this little gift, I know Hobbit will!  So without further ado,  download now.

Sunday Snaps

Oh let's see, Wednesday I had a lovely date with my husband... Thursday I had a nice visit up at my mama's... Friday I had to work and Saturday I had food poisoning so that's the recap as to why I didn't write this week.  I know, sad... what's even worse is that there aren't many photos in which to recap it either -

I made an original design little shrug for Hobbit to wear over her tank top dresses.  It's not fabulous but it'll do.

What can I say - some weeks are like that...

Tuesday Tunes

I have been enjoying Kenny long before he was a barefoot pirate - I even had the great pleasure of meeting him when he was first starting out. It was about 16 years ago and he talked to Peanut, let us see his tour bus and signed our tickets for a charity concert. He was the most humble and beautiful soul. I make a point to always buy his albums - his voice is just one of those that wrap you up in and you can get lost in his story.

Motivational Monday

I saw these images around Facebook and Pinterest.  They just needed to be shared because they fit the mood as of late...

Sunday Snaps

I finished the little shawl that I was making for me to wear in the office when I get chilly...

I started a bag but it will be taking me a long while to finish - that's the bottom...

I actually got to wear my shawl the first night I made it because I got cold - I was tickled...

I am doing my best to cloth the poor nudist colony that is Hobbit's doll collection.  This was my first creation.

I made a placemat but I am not sure how I feel about it so it's currently sitting on the table while I debate it...

I turned in all my HPKCHC homework for the month and wait to see if I broke 1,000 points...

That's been my week - work and very little play though I am striving to find a better balance now that I know what to expect.  I need to make one small tweak to my blog - allow my work account access to it so I can write and respond during breaks... that will help out a LOT!

Weekend Wonderment

I've got my bag with a new project just waiting to be started and my office, the same place I've been all week.

I know, I know - I somehow lost an entire week and didn't say a word.  I'm sorry.  It's been a heck of a week too.  It appears as though my office chair decided to not stay at the appropriate height last week so I pulled up the old dining room chair that I use for sewing but let me tell you, that chair was not made for 8 hours of continuous use.  It has caused a severe issue with my neck and shoulders, to the point that I have been in pain for days.  Hopefully I will either get a new office chair or a new desk, whichever is the least expensive.  I am rooting for the new desk so that I can sit in my lazy boy in the office.  My phone can sit on a side table and all I need is my laptop on the desk part big enough for it, a mouse pad and a bit of writing space.  That way, I can be completely comfortable between calls.

Pokey has been having a great first week at his new position.  It's wonderful to have him home sooner and off on the weekends.  My schedule for August is not what I had hoped for but there is always September.  I refuse to spend my days wishing them away or being put out by not having what I requested so I'll just move on with life and hope for the best next month - though next month, the only thing I'm hoping for is Saturdays off... the other days don't much matter any more.

I did manage to get a few things finished this past week so I'll share them on Sunday.  I can't even remember if they're new but I will share anyway.  Here's to a better week that is more organized than this past one!!

Sunday Snaps

It's been hot, stormy and generally icky this week.  Lots of bright personal moments but the weather wasn't one of them.

I made this bunting while we watched the latest Transformer movie during our celebration dinner on Wednesday.

I also finished the hat I was working on.  Sadly, the bind off was too tight like I feared but it fits Hobbit perfectly.

I got a little silly yesterday and made this sleep mask for Peanut.  Still cracks me up every time I look at it.

This upcoming week is going to be interesting.  Pokey did get the job that we were hoping for and he starts tomorrow!  He is very excited and we celebrated with some steaks we had in the freezer and a movie on Netflix.  He's been off this weekend which has been wonderful and during the school year it will be doubly so since I have to work at least one day of it.

Speaking of work, it's currently in the aftermath of the mad rush to plan summer activities.. people are out enjoying what they planned.  At first, I was really disappointed but I've decided that in the next month or so, I'm pretty sure things will pick up for those who are planning holiday things and I'll be wondering where all the time went.  I'm still learning the ropes but I haven't gotten a note saying I messed up anything so I'll consider that a win.

I'm almost out of yarn on the shawl I'm making so it will done soon whether I want it to be or not.  I've got about fifteen yards left on this one skein before I break into my last one.  I just finished the banding for my final repeat so I'm debating if I'm going to simply do the three row finish now.  The more I think about it, the more I think I might considering the last skein only covered two rows and they're just over 200 yards a piece!  I'd hate to be in the middle and just run out.  I'm also debating a button to help keep it on during work.  I don't have a fancy shawl pin so I'm thinking a button would be the best option.

That's been my week.  I was thinking it was pretty lazy and not very exciting but then I started thinking about it and realized I was wrong in that analysis.  Pokey got his new position, Hobbit is fixing to get ready to go my folks for her last visit before school starts, I made three new things and am almost done with a fourth.  Yeah, it's been a pretty awesome week.

I must say - I am one blessed girl, that's for sure.

Weekend Wonderment

Three skeins of yarn down, at least one more to go.

I started out with five skeins of this cute baby yarn and now I'm down to two left in my basket.  This shawl is for me to wear while I'm at work because I get cold in the later hours of the evening.  It's soft and the colors are just so happy.  I needed Hobbit to model it for me so I can point out that I want it to hit me right where it is resting on her.  It currently sits right where the banding is for the section separation... about short sleeve length.  I think one more skein ought to do it but just in case, I do have an extra to get the job done.

So that's my plan this weekend - finish this up.  I was saving the hat I was working on and a bunting idea for later in the weekend but something happened on Thursday that I couldn't control...

I finished the hat and I made the bunting from start to finish as well... oh well, Hobbit's happy!

Now if I can just get this shawl finished, I can figure out my next project!  Any suggestions or ideas?

Wednesday Wound Up

I'm just trying to finish this... I'm further than this photo that I took on Monday but I've got to get back to it!

Tuesday Tunes

I needed a bit of Mumford & Son to motivate me through the day today. May your day be filled with such passion, power and deep convictions.

Motivational Monday

I needed a new outlook for today because I woke up earlier than I had planned and in a mood I didn't like.  It was cranky and negative and irksome - not a good way to start the day.  Since I always say that you choose your mood, I decided to choose a different one.  I chose to be opportunistic instead of fatalistic... less doom and gloom and more sunshine and daisies.  Granted the image may not say 'sunshine and daisies' but I think that is more of a case of me missing actual seasons than anything else.

So here's to great opportunities this week because the only difference between an obstacle and an opportunity is your attitude.

Weekend Wonderment

I spent a great deal of my time this past week sitting right here because of work - though I must say, the view is nice.

I was surprised by a most awesome box that traveled halfway across the world to me and just made my day awesome.

I finally finished my OWL and even though it was a complete pain in the rear, my mama seems tickled so it was worth it.

To reward myself, I'm making something just for me - a shawl in the happiest colorway ever imagined.

Weekend Wonderment

I needed a bit of sunshiney bright colors to work with after all the dark colors the past few projects.

I'm making myself a shawl.  That's my reward project for finishing that gingerbread house and tree for my mama.  I hope to have it done this weekend but I already had to frog back three rows from last night that I did wrong.  I'm about back to where I was prior so that's good.

With all the rain we've been having, we had a small plumbing emergency here today - none of the potties would flush and water was backing up from the drain in our shower... grey icky water!  So I called the realty group and they had a plumber out and the situation was fixed all in a matter of three hours.  Yes, see - this is why I don't want to own a home.  I won't have anyone to call when stuff like that happens... it would be all me and my pocketbook can't afford it.

So this is my last weekend off before my regular schedule starts.  I can't wait either.  I'm ready to just figure out my routine and get things rolling... speaking of which, I should get supper started since Pokey won't be rolling in until after 8 p.m.  Man, if any of y'all are the type to believe in a higher power, please send up a good thought or prayer for him to get this front counter position he interviewed for this past Monday.  It would put him 5 minutes up the road instead of 2 hours and it would be a true lifesaver!!

Okay, back to the shawl... I think I'll turn it in for DADA... or even Charms.  I'll have to think about it a bit more.  Man, I do love my HPKCHC for pushing my creative buttons.

Care for a Nibble?

Things have been whackadoodle around here since I started working again.  Getting into a rhythm has been hard but I'm sure by August it will all be ironed out.  I'll be working my real schedule instead of what I've been doing during training and hopefully Pokey will have the position he interviewed for on Monday which will put his office just up the road instead of almost 2 hours away.  All of that to say, I've not gotten in much reading time lately.  When I get off work, I am brain dead so I just turn on Netflix and fall asleep to a classic series I've seen a million times over.  I do, however, have a nibble to share!

Hehehe - I couldn't resist.  You can't eat that but I just wanted to say that I am finally done with it!

Gotcha!  I just had to my project share since I finished it last night and the only reason it is even finished is because I love my mama that much.  So many times I wanted to toss this sucker in the trash.  It was fiddly, unforgiving and rather rude.  The tree is an original design since the pattern from the kit was all kinds of pathetic.  Trees should be big and fluffy, not tall and skinny.  Anywho, here is my contribution to my mama who is reestablishing her Christmas decoration collection.

I do have a recipe to share though.  It's down and dirty simple but it tastes really good and you can get 8 or more servings out of it, depending on your portion size.  We didn't name it so I'll just call it "Down and Dirty Dinner", for when you're cooking on a budget and in the trenches... kind of like us lately.

Seriously taste, seriously easy!

Ingredients:

1. 1 16 oz package of angel hair pasta
2. 1 10 3/4 oz can of Cream of Mushroom soup
3. 1 cup of milk
4. 1/2 pound of chicken, cooked and chopped
5. 2 tablespoons of parsley
6. 1 tablespoon of garlic salt
7. 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
8. 1/2 teaspoon of pepper

Directions:

1. Cook noodles per instructions on package. Drain and set aside.
2. Mix soup, milk and spices.  Combine well and until smooth.
3. Add soup mixture and chicken to pasta.  Mix thoroughly until all the pasta is wet.

That's it... I told you it was super simple, Down and Dirty Dinner in under 15 minutes.  Not bad when you're cooking on a 30 minute supper break.  We got a full supper, two helpings of seconds and three frozen larger portioned meals.  The total meal costs were less than a dollar a portion!

Everyone loved it and my mama suggested putting broccoli in it.  If I did that, I might add more milk to stretch the sauce a bit more but not much, maybe a quarter to a half cup more.  Plus, if Hobbit wasn't going to be eating it I think I would have added some crushed red peppers because they would take it to a whole other level of wow.

Enjoy!