Answer to What is it?

It's a 'coffe cup pincher'. Something to hold a hot styrofoam cut of coffee with. But I loved all of your guesses!

Mystery Solved

Even after finishing the last clue on the Holiday Mystery Gift-Along I did not know what I had made! What do you think it is?

Licensed to Drive

The twins both got their driver's licenses on Monday. Hard to believe!
And such a mixture of emotions, from happy and excited for them to nervous and scared for them!

Holiday Mystery Gift Along

The Holiday Mystery Gift Along has begun, and the first mystery knit starts today. I just finished the first clue. All I know is that it is not a sock!
It's not too late to join. Just sign up on their Yahoo Group . It's like Christmas morning every time you get a message saying a new file has been uploaded! Some are mysteries, some are not. The first two patterns uploaded on Saturday were for a back scrubber & cloth set, and a crocheted lace shawl - both great patterns.

What Are You Reading?

When I'm not knitting, I'm usually reading. (Well, I do a load of laundry and run the vacuum now and then too). So what am I reading?
I mentioned the James Patterson Maximum Ride Series in another post. I've read or listened to the first 4 books - there is one more in the series. These books were written for the teen crowd, but I've enjoyed them very much. Maximum Ride is a 14 year old girl who, along with Fang, Gasman, Iggy, Angel, and Nudge were created in test tubes with a mixture of human and avian DNA. They have wings and they can fly! They escape from the lab, and set about trying to save the world, although it isn't until the 4th book that they find out what they are saving it from.

I recently discovered a new author (for me) - Jeffery Deaver. His books are all page-turners! I've recently read The Bodies Left Behind, The Coffin Dancer, Speaking in Tongues, and just started reading The Vanished Man.

When I'm knitting and when I'm driving, I like to listen to audio books. Greg Isles is another favorite author of mine, (Sleep No More, 24 Hours) and I'm listening to his Third Degree now.

I like to read "Cozies" too. Cat on the Edge a Joe Grey Mystery by Shirley Rousseu Murphy, complete with talking cats and shapechangers, Maggie Sefton's yarn shop series, and other knitting and craft related mysteries.

I could go on and on - so many books, so little time! What are you reading?

Rest in Peace Mary

Morning Visitor

I think there may be a squirrel in my house. DH is getting ready to paint the house and is doing some work on the shingles. He had to take off the outside door in order to get to them. This morning I went out to get the mail and when I came back in left the inside door open, like I usually do on a nice day, forgetting that there was no outside door. In the mail was my Lionbrand Catalog, which I promptly sat down to browse. When I looked up - there was a little red squirrel sitting there looking at me! I scared him and I think he ran outside.....but I'm not sure....he may still be here. Maybe hiding under my bed?


I did find some projects in the Lionbrand catalog that I'd like to make. Like these felted slippers




And this round crocheted afghan. The patterns are free at http://www.lionbrand.com/ , along with tons of other free patterns.
And since I have finished almost all of my UFOs (unfinished objects) I can start some new projects.

The Scalloped beaded necklace is from 101 Designer One Skein Wonders and takes a very little bit of one skein. This is one of those 'betcha can't make just one' kinds of projects.

The felted bag is a larger version of the little pink one I made and has two pockets inside. The flower is pinned on and was made by cutting the shapes out of some felted projects that went wrong!

The Shawl is an adaption of the pattern Gabriel's Wings and is made with leftover self-patterning sock yarn with rows of solid sock yarn in-between. This is a project I made for one of the books we read on the Whoduknit Group - The Angel Experiment, by James Patterson. I got thoroughly hooked on this series and have read up to the third one so far.

Okay squirrel - where are you???

Fibery Goodness

Last Friday, on a gorgeous fall day, I drove to the Fiber College on the Penobscott in Searsport Maine. It is always held the weekend after Labor Day at the Searsport Shores campground on the Penobscott Bay. This year I took a couple of classes. Another spindle spinning class, which was very interesting because the instructor approached it in a different way than in the last class I took. Maybe if I combine the two methods I can get that spindle to spin! The other class was a fun one called 'weaving bits and pieces'. And that's exactly what it was - bits and pieces of yarn and ribbon woven on a handmade loom.

This is my finished masterpiece! Now, what do you do with these bits and pieces weavings? The instructor used hers as pockets on handmade tote bags. I think with a backing, lining and zipper it would make a great change purse. And, a bunch of these sewn together would make an awesome scarf. But for now, this one is sitting next to my computer and being used as a mug mat.

After the classes I walked around to check out the vendors and their beautiful yarns, fibers for spinning, handmade items, etc.

And for a completely different kind of fibery goodness - a Fruit Torte! It's easy and especially delicious when served warm with ice cream. I brought this one to a fun night of Bunco with some old friends and some new. This recipe made more than enough to feed twelve ladies with some left over.

FRUIT TORTE (DOUBLE BATTER)



6 Cups flour

1 ½ Cups sugar

4 egg YOLKS

Pinch of cinnamon

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 lb butter or margarine – melted

2 cans Comstock fruit

1 15/10 cookie sheet



Blend all dry ingredients, then add egg yolks and melted butter.



Use half of mixture for bottom of pan. (smooth down in pan)

(Remainder of mixture for top)



Spread 2 cans of Comstock pie filling over bottom of pan.

(I uses 1 can apples and 1 can blueberries.) One can on each side of pan.



“Crumb” remaining “dry mixture” over top of fruit.



Bake at 375 degree oven for 40-45 mins or until slightly browned.



DO NOT USE WHITES OF EGGS,

THEY WILL NOT ALLOW MIXTURE TO “CRUMB”.



ENJOY.

Where have you been?

I've been told I haven't updated my blog in a couple of weeks -nice to know I was missed!

Even though I retired from teaching in June, I couldn't stay away from the first day of school. It wasn't just any first day of school, it was the first day of school in our brand new beautiful, state of the art school! Well, it will be state of the art once everything is working, like the phones and the Internet - but minor details!

Peninsula CSD
My favorite place - the Teacher's Lounge. It is much appreciated after not having one for the past 6 years (every available space was being used for instruction in our old school). The PTC supplied the fruit for the first day of school.

Stephen and Tabatha King donated $20,000 for new books and supplies for our new library! I'm going to enjoy volunteering in here!

State of the art computer lab (once it's hooked up to the Internet that is)

2nd Grade Classroom - complete with 2nd Graders! The school has an innovative heating and lighting system state-of-the-art technology and a multipurpose gym stage and cafeteria (we ate in our classrooms in our old school) And..it comes complete with 200 students grades Pre-K - 8!
I have already subbed for a half day in Kindergarten (still say it's the hardest job in the world!)

and 2nd Grade (my old class) and have more days on my schedule. Hmmm - doesn't feel like retirement!

You can see more photos here.