And now, some knitting

I would have never paid attention to this until blogger updated its layout, but this is my 400th post!  Since this was originally supposed to be a knitting blog, I give you a wave blanket I've been working on.  I love how it's turning out so far, and thanks to my wonderful man who suggested I do a mirror image color scheme.

However, right after I took the above picture, I wadded the blanket up on the sofa, went to get a drink, and when I came back to knit another color block, I sat on my beloved Harmony needle and broke it.

The wooden section didn't just fall out, I somehow split the metal part so there is no fixing it.  What's worse is, I have no idea what needle size I am using and where is my gauge to find out so I can replace it?

Farbenmix Emely Pattern

I bought the Farbenmix Emely pattern awhile back and finally got a chance to sew it last week.  I had bought the darling butterfly fabric from JoAnn's and was going to make it all out of that fabric; but after seeing other people's creations I wanted some accent fabric to go with it.  My little girl insisted that zebra would go with the butterflies, I didn't agree, but I obliged.

I'm really glad I listened to her, because it turned out cute!

The directions weren't completely clear; for instance, it didn't tell you to hem the bottom (but who can't figure that out?).  It also tells you to put the elastic in the top of the pocket, although I couldn't find how much and what size elastic anywhere in the pattern - again, nothing that can't be figured out, but a beginner might have a hard time following.  All in all, this was one of the EASIEST things I've ever made and, not including tracing and cutting out the pieces, took me only about 3 hours to sew.

Another plus is - the top is reversible!  Who knew?  They don't tell you that on the pattern, but if you sew buttons to both side, why not?  Which side do you like better?  Me - the butterfly; the girl - ZEBRA!

Captain American turns 8!

Where has the time gone?  My youngest boy turned 8 last week.  This one is crazy; always bouncing around, annoying his brothers with silly voices, and most the time has a smile plastered on his face.

Don't you think he looks a LOT like my father in the photo below?

My Favorite Foto of the Week

My baby lost her first tooth last week and she was so excited.  She stood and looked at herself in the mirror after I pulled it for at least 10 minutes and came in and told me, "I look good without a tooth!"  She's only 5, but the dentist told me she would probably loose her bottom teeth early after she fractured her jaw. 

We are also in the process of cleaning out the girl's room, which you currently can't see the floor.  I told them the other night to go find five things that they didn't want anymore that we could donate to Goodwill.  This is what she came out with.  In case you can't make out the picture, folks, that is three marbles, one pencil, and one dime.  Isn't she generous?

Walking = Pedicures

I've started walking in the morning after I drop the kids off at school.  My eventual goal is to go every morning, Monday through Friday; but right now I'm trying to go three times a week for a 2-mile walk.  I like to be rewarded for my efforts, so on the weeks I have made it to the track three times, I take myself for a pedicure. 

I went to a different place last week and got completely pampered.  It was a younger guy who talked me into paying extra for a hot stone massage for my legs, but it was totally worth it.  Now I'm not one who likes designs on my toes and when he asked me and I said my usual, "No, thanks."  He said, "I do real special for you."  So he twisted my arm and he did this elaborate design that from my vantage point, look like a mess and just a bunch of green swirls all over my big toe.

When I got home to show my husband what a crazy job this guy did, Derek looked closely and said, "It's a staff!  With a treble clef!"  I had no idea!  I'm still not too keen on my crazy looking big toe, but it's pretty cool to have something other than a flower.

Homemade Doughnuts

We celebrated my husband's 36th birthday earlier this week with a rainy day off of school and work; and we made homemade doughnuts!  Yumm-O these things were good.  I used this recipe.  The hardest part was waiting for them to rise the 2nd time.

The kids wanted chocolate glaze, so I split the glaze recipe and added cocoa to half of it.  While they liked the chocolate better, Derek and I thought the original recipe was delicious. 

We bought a new living room set over the weekend, so that meant no money left over for any present other than food and sleeping in.  That's okay, though, because we do not need another tie or men's shirt brought into this house.  I swear, my man has better and more clothes than I do.  And that's not right.

HaPpy BirThDAy, BabE!