Z-z-z-z-z

I'm a slug today. I went back to bed at about 11:00 and slept hard until 2:00 pm. Now I just feel crappy and sluggish. It's a good day for it though. It's all cloudy and rainy and cold.

I think I'll make a hot cup of Earl Grey tea & milk.

And speaking of tea, my sister is in the midst of having a series of tea reviews on her blog. She's a big tea drinker and collects teapots and other tea paraphernalia (big word alert). Y'all go check it out and leave a comment and tell her Boo-Boo sent you.

Random: I just love my little crocheted snowman and snowbird. I was going to put them up with the Christmas decorations, but I'm going to leave them out because they make me happy.

My New Year's Resolution: Way less sugar! I swear! I'm not going to be silly and say NO sugar, but I am going to cut it out completely at first. I mean things like cookies and candy and cake, etc. If there's a little sugar in things like ketchup and BBQ sauce, I'm not going to freak out and throw it away.

So there you have it. I'm already regretting that I just wrote that down.

Odds & Ends

I'm in my bedroom watching TV, looking at afghans on Ravelry.com, and eating mini Mounds bars with milk. I realized I didn't post an entry today so thought I'd pop in and say something.

Okay, here we go with some random stuff...

I painted my toenails black last night and like it.

I'm really loving crocheting my Giant Granny Blanket, but I wish I had made it a Rectangle Granny instead. Now I'm going to have to make squares for both of the ends so it'll be more rectangular. Square blankets don't work very well unless they're HUGE. I hope it doesn't ruin the look of it because I love it so far. I got six more rows done today. I'd say it's over half-way finished.

I made some shredded beef enchiladas over the Christmas holidays that sucked. How can you screw up enchiladas? Well, I believe my flour tortillas were defective. Yes, that's what it was. They turned all gummy and pasta-like on me. I've never had that happen before. It was weird and a horrible waste of good roast beef that I made in the crockpot.

We don't have any plans for New Year's Eve this year again. We're so boring. I'm definitely planning on having black-eyed peas and ham on New Year's Day though. We always do that.

I need to either go to the library to get some books or go buy a couple. TV is all reruns right now and there won't be anything to watch over the long weekend.

Please leave me a comment with any book recommendations you have. I like just about everything so fire away with whatever is good. Give me some GREAT ones, m'kay? Thanks.

Guess who's about to have her 1000th post?

Yes, I said ONE THOUSANDTH!

It'll happen mid-January sometime, and I'm

thinking of having a GIVEAWAY!

**Stay Tuned**

It's Here

Big fat snowflakes are falling heavily outside.

It's so quiet and beautiful coming down.

**AND**

I just have to give you a peek at the Granny Love I have going on...

I'm loving these colors together!

Ponytail Hat

I finished this Ponytail Hat just a few minutes ago. I don't look good in any type of hat, but isn't it a cute idea though? I got the pattern from a link on Ghost's Blog a couple of days ago. She got the pattern at Crochet Renee'.

I found what I think are errors in the pattern, so here it is with the corrections I made and the yarn type and hook size I used. Maybe they're not errors, but I made the changes anyway because they just made more sense to me. Since I changed some things, I think it's okay to post it. All the credit goes to Renee though.

(I just accidentally typed "Ponytail Hate." Ha-ha.) Okay, let's try again...

Ponytail Hat
Designed by Renee' Barnes
Changes I made in RED

Finished sizes: Sized to fit average woman’s size head, 22”
Materials: Approx. 1/2 skein Yarn Bee Snowflake Wool Blend yarn in Tangerine.
Size E crochet hook (or size needed for gauge)
Yarn needle
Gauge: 5 dc = 1”; 5 rows = 2”

Ch 40; join with a sl st to first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 49 dc into center of circle; join with a sl st to top of first ch-3. (50 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 4, dc in same sp, * sk next dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next dc, rep from * 23 times, join with sl st to 3rd ch of ch 4.
Rnd 3: Sl st into first ch 1 sp, ch 4, dc into same ch 1 sp, *(dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch 1 sp, rep from *23 times, join with sl st to 3rd ch in beg ch 4.
Rnd 4: Rep Rnd 3.
Rnd 5: Sl st into first ch 1 sp, ch 5, dc into same ch 1 sp, *(dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch 1 sp, rep from *23 times, join with sl st to 3rd ch in beg ch 4.
Rnd 6: Sl st into first ch 2 sp, ch 5, dc into same ch 1 sp, *(dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch 1 sp, rep from *23 times, join with sl st to 3rd ch in beg ch 4.
Rnd 7: Sl st into first ch 2 sp, (ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc) into same ch 2 sp, * (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * 23 times, join with sl st to top of ch 3.
Rnd 8: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch 1 sp, (ch 3, dc, ch1, 2 dc) in same ch 1 sp, * (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch 1 sp, rep from * 23 times, join with sl st to top of ch 3.
Rnd 9-11: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 12: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch 1 sp, * (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch 1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp, rep from * 11 times, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 4.
Rnd 13: Sl st in ch 1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch 1 sp, * (2 dc, ch 1 2 dc) in next ch 1 sp, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch 1 sp, rep from * 11 times.
Rnd 14: Sl st in ch 1 sp, (ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same ch 1 sp, * (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch 1 sp, rep from * 23 times, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4.
Rnd 15: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 16: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch 1 sp, ch 3, 4 dc in same ch 1 sp, *5 dc in next ch 1 sp, rep from * 23 times, join with sl st to top of ch 3; finish off. Weave in loose ends using yarn needle.

Note: My beginning chain of 40 ended up making the ponytail hole much too big. After I finished, I tightened the circle up and cut off 2-3 inches of chain and tied it off. Next time I'll start with a Ch 30.

Something Cool

I want to make one and I don't even have a cat anymore!!

Before:

After:

How cool is THAT?? Looks like they think it's pretty neat!

************************

I left the house at 12:30 today to make a run to Hobby Lobby for yarn. I've been working on a blanket and had to have Lion Brand Cotton Ease yarn that matched. They didn't have any. So I made the trip up to McKinney to Michaels. They didn't have one of the colors I needed. Ugh. That's the one good thing I can think of about using Red Heart yarn...you can find it almost anywhere, even Walmart.

Barnaby ended up going to JoAnn's for me in Plano and got the color I needed. Isn't he sweet? I made him a special dinner tonight for being so good to me.

I also stopped at Petco and got a big bag of dog toys. They had all their Christmas dog toys on sale for 50% off. That made them almost reasonable.

Then I went to Fashion Bug and bought a couple of shirts, some pajamas, a pair of jeans, and some sweat pants. All of the bottoms are are being returned because they're too big. I hate when that happens, but at least they weren't too small. That would have been depressing. Not that I've lost weight or anything. I just bought them really big for some reason. I guess I feel fatter than I actually am.

I also did the grocery shopping. It took me all freakin' afternoon to do all that. I was gone for four hours, and I didn't even stop for a Starbucks! Hmphf.

So there's my exciting day for ya. Can you stand the excitement?

Yes, I'm Here

I've been around but haven't posted because I've mostly only been on the laptop computer in my bedroom where I don't have my usual files, pictures, camera, etc. I'm still on the laptop, but I decided to go ahead and post so you wouldn't think I'd died of a sugar overdose or something during Christmas.

There are some old photos on this computer so I'll share those with you. I hate entries without any photos. So here you go...

This is kind of a cool picture of me taken by Barnaby several years ago at sundown fishing at the lake. Nice fish, huh?

This was a picture taken way back in February of 2001. Peepers with her new crocheted sweater I made. She promptly tore it off and ruined it. Oh well. At least I got a picture.

This is me and my boys (I think 2 years ago?) on Easter. I was still skinny or else you wouldn't be seeing this picture. My hair was short-short too!

Me and Little Boy. Sniff-sniff.

Wow...Abbey in 2001. So young and no gray!

I having some really nice & quiet days off for the holidays. These last four days have been heaven. We haven't left the house! Today it's almost 4:30 pm and I'm still in my PJs. I've been in here in bed all day on the computer and napping. Barnaby brought me hot coffee this morning, and then he brought me an omelet and toast at about 2:30, and I just got up a few minutes ago and got a fresh glass of iced coffee. I really should get up...NAH!

Merry Christmas

A few shots of our private Christmas...

Mmm...cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Don't tell anybody they're not homemade...they're Pillsbury!

My snowmen and snowladies.

Santa came! (Nearly half is for the dogs)

The snow last night...

And this morning. I know it's not a lot to some of you, but it's a ton for us, especially on Christmas! How fun.

Abbey passed out with her toy safely tucked in her legs. She's too old for so much excitement.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas wherever you are. Looking forward to more blogging and friendship in 2010!

Snow!!! Christmas Eve 2009

It just now started snowing, and we're supposed to get it for the rest of the day!! OH-M-Gee! Toto, we're not in Texas anymore!

What the heck?

Mmmm...Homemade Christmas Eve Granola!

I just had a few bites of it while it was still warm from the oven. Yum! And the whole house smells like brown sugar & cinnamon.

A mountain of it!

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Granola

1 container (18-ounce) old-fashioned oats (6 cups)
4-ounce pkg slivered almonds
6-oz Craisins
6-oz chopped dried apricots
1 cup light-brown sugar
11/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, toss together all ingredients except butter and honey.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Stir in honey. Pour over oat mixture and toss to distribute. Spread granola onto a cookie sheet bake, stirring occasionally, until oats are toasted and sugar begins to caramelize, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely on pan.

Transfer to an airtight container.

Buzzz...

*Pattern info added at the end...

I finished the front of my Flower Pillow Cover this morning. Now I'm crocheting a plain back with Aran (off-white or cream color) in all single crochets. I'm so excited about this one. I just love it.

Do I always say that?? Somebody is drinking way too much coffee, me thinks. Actually, I believe I'm on the upside of manic this week. About time. I've been on the downside all month until now and been a real bee-otch. Now I just love everyone to pieces and can't get enough done to please myself.

Okay, whatever. Next!

Here is the pattern info:

I got the pattern for the flower squares on Rosehips' blog. She does not have instructions for the pillow there, however. (The pattern link is in her sidebar.) I crocheted my squares together with single crochets in strips because that's what it looks like she did. She made the back of hers with material and just has an open slit with ties, but I'm going to crochet the back of mine in a combination of sc and hdc. We'll see how it turns out.

Jessica also made a flower pillow using this square pattern. You can see hers HERE. Sure wish I could sew as well as her and her sister!

Scalloped Pillow & Pattern

Ta-Dah!

This was my secret project that I had to write the pattern for! I finally saw my mom last night and she remembered to bring the pillow.

The back with the matching material.

It's not exactly like the one I was trying to mimic, but it's pretty darn close! I probably need to make some adjustments to the pattern so that the pillow doesn't show through in places, but I don't have the patience for that. You can take this pattern and make it as is or adjust it to your liking. It's not hard at all once you get the pattern down. A couple of rows and you'll have it. Just remember that every four rows you'll increase the number of ruffles you're making per round. Actually, you don't even have to remember because it's in the pattern!


I really hope someone makes it and sends me a picture of their finished pillow. The possibilities with color combinations are endless.


I got the idea for a ruffled pillow from Royal Sisters blog, which you can find the link for in my sidebar, but the pattern is completely and utterly my own. After requesting the pattern and being politely denied (which I totally understood), I had to make up a pattern in my own little pea brain, and it wasn't easy! Just ask Bev. I sent her 50 million revised patterns to test before settling on this final one. Please let me know if you find a problem in this pattern. It's here for anyone to use as they please. I hope you enjoy. And please do send me photos if you make one.

Scalloped Pillow Cover

designed by: Pammy Sue

Hook Size H
Yarn Used in Photo: Less than one skein each of Color A & Color B; Color A: Vanna’s Choice in Fern; Color B: Red Heart Soft in Teal

(Make two if you want the front and back of your pillow to look the same.)

With Color A, ch 3; join with sl st to first ch to form a circle.

R1: Ch 4, (1 dc in ring, ch 1) five times; join with sl st to third ch of first ch4. (6 dc + 6 ch1 sps)

R2: Sl st into ch-1 sp, ch 1, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into same sp. (Petal made), (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into each remaining ch1 sp; join with sl st into first sc. Do not fasten off. (Optional: You can fasten off after each round of color and weave in the ends if you like, but it’s just easier to carry it along the back, especially if you’re using only two colors. The back will not show once you cover your pillow.)

R3: Working behind petals of previous round, join Color B between two petals, ch 3, (sl st into back of first sc of next petal, ch 3) around; join with sl st to first ch of first ch3.

R4: Sl st into next ch3 sp, ch 1, (1 sc, 2 hdc 1 dc, 2 hdc, 1 sc) into same sp, (1 sc, 2 hdc, 1 dc, 2 hdc, 1 sc) into each remaining ch3 sp; join with sl st into first sc.

R5: Working behind petals of previous round, join Color A between two petals, ch 4, (sl st into back of first sc of next petal, ch 4) around; join with sl st into first ch of first ch4.

R6: Sl st into next ch4 sp, ch 1, (1 sc, 2 hdc, 3 dc, 2 hdc, 1 sc) into same sp, (1 sc, 2 hdc, 3 dc, 2 hdc, 1 sc) into each remaining ch4 sp; join with sl st into first sc.

R7: Working behind petals of previous round, join Color B between two petals, ch 5, (sl st into back of first sc of next petal, ch 5) around; join with sl st into first ch of first ch5.

R8: Sl st into next ch5 sp, ch 1, (1 sc, 2 hdc, 5 dc, 2 hdc, 1 sc) into same sp, (1 sc, 2 hdc, 5 dc, 2 hdc, 1 sc) into each remaining ch5 sp; join with sl st into first sc.

(Note: You will now be making two petals onto each petal of previous round. You will do this every eight rounds.)

R9: Working behind petals of previous round, pick up Color A and join between two petals, (ch 3, sl st into middle dc of petal, ch 3, sl st into back of last sc of petal) around; join with sl st to first st of first ch3.

R10: Sl st into ch3 sp, ch 1, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into same sp, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into each remaining ch3 sp; join with sl st into first sc.

R11: Working behind petals of previous round, join Color B between two petals, ch 4, (sl st into back of first sc of next petal, ch 4) around; join with sl st into first ch of first ch4.

R12: Sl st into ch4 sp, ch 1, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into same sp, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into each remaining ch4 sp; join with sl st into first sc.

R13: Working behind petals of previous round, join Color A between two petals, ch 5, (sl st into back of first sc of next petal, ch 5) around; join with sl st into first ch of first ch5.

R14: Sl st into ch5 sp, ch 1, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 5 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into same sp, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 5 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into each remaining ch5 sp; join with sl st into first sc.

R15: Working behind petals of previous round, join Color B between two petals, ch 6, (sl st into back of first sc of next petal, ch 6) around; join with sl st into first ch of first ch6.

R16: Sl st into ch6 sp, ch 1, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 7 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into same sp, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 7 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) into each remaining ch6 sp; join with sl st into first sc.

Repeat R9-16 until pillow is desired size.

You'll have to figure out how to attach the finished cover to the pillow and decide whether you want to make yours the same on the front and back, crochet a completely different back, or use material as I did. My mother stitched the crocheted front to the pillow after I covered it with the material. I'm sure there's a better way to do this, but it's my first one evah so I kind of winged it.

To Die For

I absolutely love these prints, and if I don't have some, I will die!

Check out all of them and/or purchase them here: Kerry Beary

I'm buying this one before I post this picture so don't even try to snatch it out from under me!

But this one is so cool too!

And the blue ones are too! GAH! I want them all.

I do realize that I have over-used the exclamation mark in this entry. Please forgive me. I got a little excited.

Love This Site

I found another great site to browse and surf all day (or night in my case tonight). It's Apartment Therapy, and I love it. Check it, friends. Some of the ideas just blow my mind. Love it!

You're welcome!

More Pretties

S'mo Flowers

I'm making a pillow. Only four more to go! Of course, then I have to crochet the last round behind them to make each one into a square, and then I have to crochet them all together, and then -- it'll be a few days.

Sue inspired me to make some butterflies today. I made this one and a lavender one. I learned how HERE, same as her. It was easy and fun. Thanks, Sue!

Family Gold

These little apricot pies are like pure gold in my family.

My mother makes them on special occasions, usually Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. They take her all day to make since she has to make so many of them. If she doesn't make enough for everybody to have at least one while we're there AND some to take home, the fight is on!

Did you notice Eli's little face in that picture above? I cracked up when I uploaded the pictures and saw that. Hee-hee. He's hoping I'll inadvertently drop some of the pie. That's the only way he's going to get any! (He really does manage to get in nearly every photo I take, doesn't he? Such a camera hound.)

Mmm...look at that golden center and the flakey crust!

Can you see the sugar on top and the bits of sugary goodness that have fallen off on my hands? SO GOOD! These little pies are baked, not fried. They are so soft and perfect. Don't you wish you could have one for breakfast too? Well, you can't! Because they're mine, all mine! I'm warning you...you'll draw back a nub if you touch one!

Flower Power

These are the flowers I made yesterday...

There's nothing else going on. I guess I'll make more flowers today. I can't find anything else I want to do. I have SO MUCH scrap yarn still, I really need to make another scrap blanket of some kind. I may just HAVE to do another ripple. Wouldn't that be awful? ;)

I have lots of purples and blues, and those two colors do look good together. Hmm...I'll have to think on that a while longer.

I'm going to go hide in my bedroom with the dogs while the rest of my house gets cleaned. I had to cancel her last time because I was sick, so my house really needs a good cleaning.

Hope y'all have a nice Friday. Later.

A Fun Place

Whenever I go HERE, I can look and look and look at all of the cool rooms all day. I love looking at them!

I hope you do too. Don't say I'm not a giver, cuz I'm giving you this. It's a fun gift too! Have fun.

Coo-Coo for Handmade Garland

My latest obsession is homemade garland. Ever since I made the crochet stars and crochet snowflakes, I want more! I've seen some really pretty handmade garland on etsy and on other people's blogs lately. My home, backyard, and front door will soon be dripping with garland. Ha-ha.

Yo-yos from Backyardprims

I bought these fabric yo-yos this morning, plus some other colors AND some already sewn into a garland.

Here are some pretty crochet flowers that could be used as garland:

Crochet flowers from Foxtailcreek Studio's etsy shop.

It's so fun to surf around and look at all the different kinds. I must control myself from buying them all up.

Compost Cookies

Sounds kinda gross, huh?

I made these cookies this afternoon and they are delicious and unique. They've got that salty-sweet thing going on. I heard about this cookie from Anderson Cooper. (Love him!) He's been talking about them for three days since he's been sitting in for Regis on Live with Regis & Kelly. He gets them at a bakery in New York, but I went online and found a copycat recipe.

Compost Cookies
Makes approx. 30 good-sized cookies

1 stick butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons dry, used coffee grounds
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup roughly crushed potato chips
1/2 cup roughly crushed pretzels
1/2 cup roughly crushed Fritos
1/2 cup peanut butter or butterscotch chips
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350º.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar, egg, coffee grounds, and vanilla.
In a medium bowl, combine the rest of ingredients. Using a spatula, fold together with the creamed ingredient until evenly distributed.
Scoop approx 2 Tbsp of batter and drop two inches apart onto a cookie sheet. Press dough down slightly with the palm of your hand.
Bake at 350º for 10-11 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 2 minutes. Then place cookies on wire racks to cool.

Note: I used one cup of chocolate chips instead of half chocolate and half peanut butter or butterscotch because that’s all I had.

You Shut-Up!

I got every bit of my Christmas shopping done yesterday and took Eli to be groomed while I shopped.

Eli gets really car sick so I was a little worried about him throwing up all over himself after getting all groomed and pretty. He did throw up on the way there and threw up immediately upon getting in the car when leaving the groomer's. I hadn't even started the car! Evidently the car ride and groomer experience (his first) was hard on him. He was sick most of yesterday after coming home with diarrhea, not eating, and throwing up. Poor thing. He seemed happy while he was there though. The groomer said he was happy the whole time. I even paid extra for the "express" grooming so he wouldn't have to be left in a kennel waiting. He was only there an hour.

Anyway, he looked nice and clean and smelled so good. I didn't like the haircut, however....AT ALL. It's all jagged and uneven. AND I told her NOT to cut his ear hair at all, so what did she do? Take a wild guess. SHE CUT HIS EAR HAIR!! Stupid-ass!

Eli is hacked up and I'm hacked off.

I think he looks much better when I do the grooming myself. He wasn't as fluffy as when I do it, and I don't hack off any ear hair. Papillons are supposed to have long ear hair! I could go on a really long rant here, but I won't. You're very welcome. BUT YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO CUT A PAPILLON'S EAR HAIR DAMMIT! DUH!!!

Okay, sorry.

So let's look at another cutie pie to get our minds off of that, shall we?

So I was carrying an armload of toiletries I bought at Target yesterday through the house and into our bathroom. While traversing the baby gate that keeps the dogs out of our bedroom and bathroom during the day, I fell. With no hands to brace my fall because they were full of deoderant, hairspray, 12 bars of soap, and various and sundry other items, most of my weight hit directly on my left knee and I plowed my head into the sideboard of our bed. Ouch.

The dogs could not get to me because of the gate, so they just stood there barking and whining as I lay on the floor trying to figure out what just happened. Just the day before I had a cussing fit because of that babe gate and always stumbling when I try to step over it. "We're getting too old to have an obstacle course in our house!" Okay, that's not exactly what I said. There were several obscene adjectives thrown in that sentence that I didn't mention.

My knee seems to be fine, albeit bruised and slightly sore.

And then I immediately came out of the bathroom and had to clean up a pile of liquid poop on the living room floor. Did I mention Eli was sick yesterday?

I didn't crochet one stitch again yesterday. I did look through some patterns trying to figure out what I wanted to do next, but that's it on the crochet front.

I have some work to finish and then I'm going to bake some cookies. I'll share the recipe if they turn out well.Have I complained lately about how fat I am? Well, then...I'M FAT! It's really bugging me. Obviously not enough to NOT make cookies and eat them though. Whatever. Shut-up.

I've also been a HUGE BITCH lately. I just feel irritated. Whatever. Shut-up.

Bye, my friends.

Oh, I forgot...

Shut-up! I know I'm fat and bitchy! You don't think it's the "BIG M" do you? No way. Shut-up.

I did a bit of cleaning yesterday, and when I say a "bit" that's what I mean. I cleaned out this sideboard and moved it to a different spot. It belonged to my grandmother and a few other family members before I took custody of it.

It had become so stuffed with crap I had to do something. It was a mixture of all of my photo albums, photo boxes, framed photos, and just loose photos. I also had some glassware in there -- flower vases, a cookie jar, and various pieces of carnival glass.

Anyway, it's all cleaned up and neatly put back. Now I just need to do the same thing with a few other pieces of furniture that have become storage places for all my junk. I don't particularly like the spot where I moved it, but I didn't like it in the other spot either.

I told Barnaby that we really needed to consider having a garage sale. There's plenty of things I need to get rid of to get this place in shape. I'm quite sure I blew my wad of energy for awhile though. Ha-ha. An hour or two of cleaning and I'm over it.

I didn't crochet a single stitch yesterday. I had crocheted three rows of a new ripple blanket the day before, but I've decided I don't like the ripple pattern I used and I'm going to frog it and start another one. I hate when that happens, but I'd rather start over than spend so much time on something I don't really like, even if it's not for me.

We are going to have our family Christmas get-together next Sunday afternoon. I have several things I plan to make food-wise. A big crockpot of BBQ meatballs, some fudge, a big casserole dish of hot bean dip that I tried making this weekend and was great, and I don't know what else yet.

We plan to do white elephant gifts again. We've been doing that the last few years and it seems to work out well and is fun and easy. If you don't know what that is, you can Google it and read about it.

Guess I'd better get my butt in gear and get out of the house today. I need to run a few errands. Ugh. If I think about it too much I won't go, so no thinking, Pam! Just do it!

Y'all have a good one. Bye.

Ripple Pillow

Man, I'm a posting fool today!

But I HAD to show you my finished ripple pillow:

I like it.

Scottish Shortbread

I had to jump on and make another post today to tell you about the most wonderful cookies!!

I was reading Suburban Hooker's blog last night and saw this recipe and decided to try it this morning. The link to the recipe in her blog is not working (last time I checked this morning) so use this one: Scottish Shortbread Cookies It was fun to read everything written by the author about making this recipe.

I just made half a batch in a 9" x 9" pan, but now I wish I had made a whole batch. I only had one cup of cornstarch anyway so I couldn't have made the whole recipe if I'd wanted to without running to the store first.

Just for your reference, this is how the "dough" should look when you're finished mixing it and put it in the pan. I used my hands to mix it and pat it down in the pan. (This picture is before it's patted down)

These are the most wonderful, delicate, delightful things to eat. I know that sounds dorky to use those words, but it's true! You've GOT to try them. I insist.