Casting Call

Wool-Ease Chunky in Walnut

Now that I finished the tree skirt, I feel as if I -can- accomplish something. I cast on for a pair of slippers for Diva. The pattern is simple enough (I hope). I would have loved to make them in a pretty jeweled color, but knowing my reluctant Diva as well as I do, I decided a walnut color would work better for her. I can always add an embellishment to femme it up a bit if they look too... macho. 


School starts tomorrow and if I hope I can get more done without worrying about her questioning what I am making. It was a lot easier when she was small and forgot she saw me making things.


Slipper Pattern --- click here

Update: FINISHED !!!

Less than Four !!!

I have been busy making the tree skirt and scouting out patterns for ornaments. A quick review of the 'to make' list and I realized I am SO far behind. VERY far behind.


I was originally going to make my Mother the 5th Avenue Scarf, but not sure she will like it as much as I do. What do you give to the woman who doesn't have everything and doesn't want to? I will have to put more thought in to it. If anyone reading has suggestions, please chime in.


Staying on the handmade theme, I am still going to make Diva a hat and scarf set, but the pattern has changed. I will be making the Scrunchable Scarf (ETA: slip the first and last stitch - it doesn't say that in the pattern) and Scrunchable Hat in a color to be determined later. The pattern is easy enough that I know I can finish them on time. I want to buy her winter coat first, or do a black/white.


The Harry Potter theme is still on, she loves HP, and so do I. The search for a box the 'Secret Book'. I know that AC Moore has book looking unfinished boxes for a reasonable price.


Shrugs has a way of changing my plans, even if he doesn't know at the time. The one purchased gift Diva asked for was a calligraphy set. I thought it was a wonderful idea... and so did he. He bought her one last weekend when they went to Barnes & Noble. Ugh.


I am looking for a sewing pattern for a sleeping dress. I have a tan plaid one. So comfy, so loved. Diva wants a red one just like it. I am not sure I can find one her size, so I am thinking sewing is the way to go. If I end up sewing it, it has to be a simple pattern. I can sew, but sleeves are my kryptonite.


I have a million ideas in my head for gifts, and I know it's not humanly possible to finish them all - not even for a Domestic Goddess.

Okay, I couldn't resist myself. I was sitting here crocheting a tree skirt for our small (but loved) mini-tree. There is just something about this song. Maybe it's the trip down memory lane to my childhood. Maybe it's because I watch this movie constantly. Maybe it's because whenever I am working on gifts, I find myself humming it. Whatever the reason, I admit that I love it!


I will post pictures of the tree skirt when I am finished with it. I adapted a pattern I found online. Smaller hooks, 2 different colors. Looks good so far, about 17 rows finished. 

Is That the Sound of Summer Ending?

Here we are, 8 more mornings left before our lazy leisurely routines morph in to the 'school shuffle'. 

That's not to say that we haven't had practice runs during summer vacation - basketball camp, tutoring twice a week and this week it's soccer camp. A lousy weather week, rainy and cold. I guess being a little chilly and running around is better than if it was sweltering outside.

My computer died a most painful death. Elvis tried to build me new one from the scattered pc graveyard. All was well, until I tried to  reinstall the disc - that came with it - and there is a file missing. How? It's an Emachine disc, ad can't be written over, so -how- is it missing the file??? 

I feel so lost. I don't have my personal files at the ready. I emailed them to myself so they are not lost, but not available for use until we can fix my frankenputer or  breakdown and finally get myself a laptop. Elvis has been after me for over a year now to get one. I have been putting it off because I know that as soon as I buy it something will happen that needed the money more. 

Yes, I have a problem spending money on myself. Diva has everything she needs and most of the things she wants - within reason. I try to keep some money set aside for emergencies, vacations, etc. When I had money set aside for my laptop - the fridge died. When we got the refund for the fridge - Elvis needed a car... 3 new tires... $1500 worth of repairs... do I need to go on?

Elvis now has a different car, the fridge has been replaced and yet I still don't have a laptop. I'll get one - someday.

Wow, what a long way around to the point of this post.

Summer is unofficially over. It happened faster than we thought and hoped. School goes back a week from Wednesday. We always thought of Labor Day as the end because school went back the Wednesday after. Oh, how the times have changed.

This weeks weather has been predicted to be in the upper 60's, gloomy, cloudy, rainy. Thursday is suppose to shoot up to 80 so at least the last day of soccer camp will be pleasant enough for Diva. It feels weird not having her home right now. 

In an attempt to be occupied I started gathering all the school supplies. I pulled up the list and realized it's NOT the same as the one I posted here months ago. They changed it. Not drastically, but enough to be noticed. Luckily, I have extras.

New School List and Costs - for personal challenge

48 #2 pencils (.10/box = .40)
8 ct. washable markers (.50)
12 ct. colored pencils (.25)
2 highlighters – different colors (.09/each - .18)
2 erasers (white medium) (.19)
5” sharp scissors (0 - had)
1 plastic 2 pocket folder without fasteners (0 - had)
individual pencil sharpener (.29)
1 12” sturdy ruler (inch and cm. marks) (.29)
6 Elmer’s glue sticks (small) or 3 large (.39/each = 1.17)
3 packs of 100 lined index cards - 3x5 (white) (.39/each - 1.17)
2 spiral index cards (3”x5”) (.59/each = 1.18)
3 packs 3-hole wide-ruled paper (100 sheets)* (.99)
1 composition notebook (.50)
1 5x7 spiral notebook (.99)
1/2” 3-ring view binder w/interior pockets (0 -had)
1 expandable coupon holder for flashcards (0 - had)
1 pencil case (0 - had)
2 large boxes of tissues (for class use)
1 old shirt/tee (adult size) for painting projects
2 Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
1 Scotch tape (.99)
On the first day of school, please send in $5.00 to cover cost of plastic folder and a planner book purchased by the school.

Simple Ratatouille

I am happy to say that my house is rat free! This is so simple to make and can be eaten hot or cold. There are as many ways to eat it as there is to make it... and this is mine.

Ratatouille

1/4 cup olive oil
2 onions, slivered
3 bell peppers, cubed
2 eggplants, cubed
2 zucchini, cubed
4 cloves garlic, minced 
2 pounds tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
salt and pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil


Cut everything up ahead of time to save you from running around with a knife in one hand and a spoon in the other.

Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. If you don't have a dutch oven, use a thick bottom soup pan. 

Put each ingredient in the pan separately and cook a little before adding the next.
ONIONS - PEPPERS - EGGPLANT ~stirring well to coat the eggplant with oil. Stir often to keep it from burning while the veggies begin to soften. ZUCCHINI, GARLIC, TOMATOES, THYME ~Stir well and cook 2 minutes.

Turn down heat and cover the pot. Simmer until everything is soft and well blended - about 40 minutes.
Stir in basil and remove from heat.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.