Trying to do a Super Secret KAL ... and I am having trouble. Wonder why?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
When the cat's away ...
So, Daryn's off again for another week. Yuck! He left Friday night for Everett to go and "play" sailor for the weekend and returned home Sunday evening, only to have to turn around and repack for his departure the next day. He left here about 5:30 Monday morning and narrowly made his flight to Las Vegas with two and a half minutes to spare! Guess there was some traffic! He arrived in Vegas before noon, but it took him nearly two hours to get out of the airport ... have to love vehicle rentals! (Not!) Then he drove to China Lake, the first of several stops in the next couple weeks.
In the meantime, trying to keep the home fires burning, well, not literally, we have resumed our "normal" every day schedule. Amber went to sewing class Monday morning. Later in the afternoon she was caught in a lie. She said she had finished her spelling homework, when in fact, she just said she had. So, I told her she had to do say-spell-say and write the spelling and vocabulary THREE times instead of twice, AND there would be no dance class. That part killed me. However, punishing any other way has not had an impact on her as of late. I caught her several weeks ago lying about washing her hands after using the bathroom. We've had to resort to inspections after she goes now. At any rate, taking dance away was the worse thing I could think of and once I said it, I couldn't go back. URGH! She sure carried on. You would have thought the dog had been run over by a car. Poor Evyn had to endure her temper tantrum because he stayed home to make dinner. She was STILL doing her school work when we returned just over an hour later. I had to apologize to the dance teacher, too, but I am really praying this does the trick this time.
This afternoon Ian has decided to make some banana bread. We had three VERY ripe bananas. I also thought we could do breakfast night tonight as it's a late-ish dance night and with Daryn gone, no one to put dinner in the oven, etc. So, Ian is making a double batch, as we do have an abundance of bananas and they are all quickly ripening, and we shall have French Toast made with banana bread. Could prove interesting!
In the meantime, trying to keep the home fires burning, well, not literally, we have resumed our "normal" every day schedule. Amber went to sewing class Monday morning. Later in the afternoon she was caught in a lie. She said she had finished her spelling homework, when in fact, she just said she had. So, I told her she had to do say-spell-say and write the spelling and vocabulary THREE times instead of twice, AND there would be no dance class. That part killed me. However, punishing any other way has not had an impact on her as of late. I caught her several weeks ago lying about washing her hands after using the bathroom. We've had to resort to inspections after she goes now. At any rate, taking dance away was the worse thing I could think of and once I said it, I couldn't go back. URGH! She sure carried on. You would have thought the dog had been run over by a car. Poor Evyn had to endure her temper tantrum because he stayed home to make dinner. She was STILL doing her school work when we returned just over an hour later. I had to apologize to the dance teacher, too, but I am really praying this does the trick this time.
This afternoon Ian has decided to make some banana bread. We had three VERY ripe bananas. I also thought we could do breakfast night tonight as it's a late-ish dance night and with Daryn gone, no one to put dinner in the oven, etc. So, Ian is making a double batch, as we do have an abundance of bananas and they are all quickly ripening, and we shall have French Toast made with banana bread. Could prove interesting!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Ethan wins Weblos Pinewood Derby
Two weeks ago the Cub Scout pack held their Pinewood Derby. Ethan initially wanted to make his car into Anakin Skywalker's pod racer from Star Wars, but neither he nor Daryn could figure out how to achieve that.
Ethan's car is on the right of the orange car, black and red. The front and back, at one point in time, looked the same. But, he left it on the floor under his chair in the classroom and Joule got to it and gnawed away at it. So, Daryn performed some surgical cutting out in the garage. Ethan sanded down the whole thing. It was smooth as glass. Then they when and purchased spray paint in Ethan's color choices. After a few coats they varnished it. It was sleek.
Ethan stands at the ready near the start of the track, awaiting his turn to race.
Here Ethan places his car in Track 2.
On your marks ... get set ... GO!
Now Ethan places his car in Track 1. This is his second race. On your mark ... get set ...
GO! He had the fastest run of the night against the Webelos.
The announcement is made. Ethan placed first and moves on to the next level some time in April to race other area Webelos. However, he'll need to fix his car. He hit it on the table after the race and bent an axle.
Daryn was the announcer for the evening. Here he awards Ethan his first place ribbon!
Ethan's car is on the right of the orange car, black and red. The front and back, at one point in time, looked the same. But, he left it on the floor under his chair in the classroom and Joule got to it and gnawed away at it. So, Daryn performed some surgical cutting out in the garage. Ethan sanded down the whole thing. It was smooth as glass. Then they when and purchased spray paint in Ethan's color choices. After a few coats they varnished it. It was sleek.
Ethan stands at the ready near the start of the track, awaiting his turn to race.
Here Ethan places his car in Track 2.
On your marks ... get set ... GO!
Now Ethan places his car in Track 1. This is his second race. On your mark ... get set ...
GO! He had the fastest run of the night against the Webelos.
The announcement is made. Ethan placed first and moves on to the next level some time in April to race other area Webelos. However, he'll need to fix his car. He hit it on the table after the race and bent an axle.
Daryn was the announcer for the evening. Here he awards Ethan his first place ribbon!
Miniature Socks
Okay, so I wanted to see how small I could go when making socks. I used regular sock yarn, leftovers from the Harry Potter socks I made the boys for Christmas. I used the pattern from the keychain sock blocker kit I got last fall, and I went down to size 000 double point needles (from a size 1) to make these. Cute, huh? TINY! (yes!)
Incidentally, these photos were taken at about the same time. Notice the sun in one and the yucky weather in the other?
Incidentally, these photos were taken at about the same time. Notice the sun in one and the yucky weather in the other?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Latest Needle Works
These are actually placed here in reverse of when they were actually completed. Hazards of going chronologically from the file instead of backwards. Oh well ... but I just wanted to share.
This shamrock was made last night (3-16-10). It is an attempt at Irish Crochet. I gave it to Evyn for his birthday. I pinned it to his shirt.
These were a mystery knit-along. I want to try to do these again, but make the leg a bit wider and the foot longer. I think Amber would like these ... well, all the kids would. May have to juggle the pattern for future socks!
These were a learning attempt to make Kilt Hose. These are for a small child. They are not intended for anyone at this point. Just a learning experience.
This hat is modeled by Evyn, but the hat is for Daryn for Christmas this coming year. I took a Fair Isle class at the local yarn shop. This is what I made! It was fun.
My first attempt at felting. These slippers would have fit a giant before they were felted! I won the yarn and pattern from a door prize at the yarn shop. The battery is there as a size reference from when I took the before felted shot.
Ian is nicely modeling my shawl. I started this in May 2008. It took forever. I'm glad it's done. It's cozy. Doesn't really keep me warm, though. But, I think it'll be good for coolish spring days or autumn days. Just not warm enough for me right now.
This was a test knit for someone else. I think these mitts are so cute. I used what I had just learned from the Fair Isle class to make these and I think the carries/floats went very well. They will be saved, as with the two smaller pairs of socks.
My little dragon. This one is a lot smaller than the pattern because I used a much thinner yarn and much smaller crochet hook. I intended it to be a tiny palm/pocket dragon. She's so cute. She's holding a ball of yarn. Need to design her some needles, I think.
Lastly, the sweater I made fro Amber's birthday. Well, it was supposed to be for her birthday, but it wasn't done in time. But, she has it and she likes it. The pattern came from a Debbie Macomber book. The yarn shop asked for a photo of Amber in her sweater, and the other day the photo was returned, signed by Debbie to Amber. It was very sweet. However, the photo was for the shop. They've requested another photo :)
This shamrock was made last night (3-16-10). It is an attempt at Irish Crochet. I gave it to Evyn for his birthday. I pinned it to his shirt.
These were a mystery knit-along. I want to try to do these again, but make the leg a bit wider and the foot longer. I think Amber would like these ... well, all the kids would. May have to juggle the pattern for future socks!
These were a learning attempt to make Kilt Hose. These are for a small child. They are not intended for anyone at this point. Just a learning experience.
This hat is modeled by Evyn, but the hat is for Daryn for Christmas this coming year. I took a Fair Isle class at the local yarn shop. This is what I made! It was fun.
My first attempt at felting. These slippers would have fit a giant before they were felted! I won the yarn and pattern from a door prize at the yarn shop. The battery is there as a size reference from when I took the before felted shot.
Ian is nicely modeling my shawl. I started this in May 2008. It took forever. I'm glad it's done. It's cozy. Doesn't really keep me warm, though. But, I think it'll be good for coolish spring days or autumn days. Just not warm enough for me right now.
This was a test knit for someone else. I think these mitts are so cute. I used what I had just learned from the Fair Isle class to make these and I think the carries/floats went very well. They will be saved, as with the two smaller pairs of socks.
My little dragon. This one is a lot smaller than the pattern because I used a much thinner yarn and much smaller crochet hook. I intended it to be a tiny palm/pocket dragon. She's so cute. She's holding a ball of yarn. Need to design her some needles, I think.
Lastly, the sweater I made fro Amber's birthday. Well, it was supposed to be for her birthday, but it wasn't done in time. But, she has it and she likes it. The pattern came from a Debbie Macomber book. The yarn shop asked for a photo of Amber in her sweater, and the other day the photo was returned, signed by Debbie to Amber. It was very sweet. However, the photo was for the shop. They've requested another photo :)
Happy Birthday, Evyn! ~ Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
Evyn is 13 today. Where did that time go? It's been a pretty boring day so far for him.
First thing Evyn wanted to do this morning was to open at least one present. So, he got to open the gift from Grandma Val and Grandpa John. A new wallet ... with instructions to look inside!
It is a beautiful wallet made of very soft leather. He liked the extra cash, too!
I also surprized Evyn by inviting his friend, Aaron, for dinner and cake. It was a last minute thing and I told his mother NO present was needed. But, Aaron made a card, and she slipped in a bit of cash as well. That was added to the contents of his new wallet as well!
Ethan gave him a game to play while they are waiting between classes at dance, or for road trips, or just whenever. I don't know if they have played it yet (as of this posting, which is being updated 4/1/10).
Ian bought him some Webkinz and Magic cards.
Amber found a Webkinz Baby Seal, so that's what she decided to give to him. It was on his wish list.
Lastly, the gift from Mom and Dad. I got him a pair of boxers, which are probably WAY too big (but they were green had shamrocks, and Snoopy on them). I also gave him his favorite candy bar, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and a Webkinz Zumbuddy. This, however, was the biggie and Daryn's idea.
A new stereo/radio with an iPod seat. He really enjoys it. Ian gets to enjoy it, too, as he shares the room with Evyn.
****
It's nearly 3 p.m. now and the cake just went into the oven. Why? Because that dear boy just didn't know what he wanted up until yesterday and all I got was "chocolate." So, Ian and I put our heads together and I think this will be another "wowzer" cake ... at least I hope so. Evyn likes Harry Potter. I'm going to make a Monster Book of Monsters cake. (Yeah! Right!) We shall see. Now the big question ... teeth and hair? How do we manage that?
Ian and I decided on white chocolate chips for the teeth, and I am going to use a frosting tip I've never used before. Here's hoping for the best. Photos to follow ... have to create first!
** Later **
Well, the frosting tip did NOT work. I could not get the frosting smooth enough. Should have just used the standard white recipe, made it brown, and then decorated. But, I tried to do a chocolate frosting. So, I just plopped it onto the cake and attempted to make it look like fur. Needless to say, this monster's fir is a bit matted! But, it tasted good and Evyn really seemed to like it. And in the end, isn't that all that matters?
First thing Evyn wanted to do this morning was to open at least one present. So, he got to open the gift from Grandma Val and Grandpa John. A new wallet ... with instructions to look inside!
It is a beautiful wallet made of very soft leather. He liked the extra cash, too!
I also surprized Evyn by inviting his friend, Aaron, for dinner and cake. It was a last minute thing and I told his mother NO present was needed. But, Aaron made a card, and she slipped in a bit of cash as well. That was added to the contents of his new wallet as well!
Ethan gave him a game to play while they are waiting between classes at dance, or for road trips, or just whenever. I don't know if they have played it yet (as of this posting, which is being updated 4/1/10).
Ian bought him some Webkinz and Magic cards.
Amber found a Webkinz Baby Seal, so that's what she decided to give to him. It was on his wish list.
Lastly, the gift from Mom and Dad. I got him a pair of boxers, which are probably WAY too big (but they were green had shamrocks, and Snoopy on them). I also gave him his favorite candy bar, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and a Webkinz Zumbuddy. This, however, was the biggie and Daryn's idea.
A new stereo/radio with an iPod seat. He really enjoys it. Ian gets to enjoy it, too, as he shares the room with Evyn.****
It's nearly 3 p.m. now and the cake just went into the oven. Why? Because that dear boy just didn't know what he wanted up until yesterday and all I got was "chocolate." So, Ian and I put our heads together and I think this will be another "wowzer" cake ... at least I hope so. Evyn likes Harry Potter. I'm going to make a Monster Book of Monsters cake. (Yeah! Right!) We shall see. Now the big question ... teeth and hair? How do we manage that?
Ian and I decided on white chocolate chips for the teeth, and I am going to use a frosting tip I've never used before. Here's hoping for the best. Photos to follow ... have to create first!
** Later **Well, the frosting tip did NOT work. I could not get the frosting smooth enough. Should have just used the standard white recipe, made it brown, and then decorated. But, I tried to do a chocolate frosting. So, I just plopped it onto the cake and attempted to make it look like fur. Needless to say, this monster's fir is a bit matted! But, it tasted good and Evyn really seemed to like it. And in the end, isn't that all that matters?
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