Found it!

My mojo came back today. We went to my great aunt and uncle's house for our annual fruitcake dancing. Okay, so it's really just making fruitcake. When Hokieboy was a teeny thing, the Saturday after Thanksgiving we went and made fruitcake. We wanted to put his hands in the batter so we could say he helped, but my aunt *insisted* that we put his feet in the bowl. So, fruitcake dancing was born. Hokiegirl joined in the tradition when she was born. Now they are a little old for the feet to be cute, but we still get them to stir the batter.

Back to the mojo. Fruitcake takes a long time to make and bake. We were at that house from 10am to 7pm. I wisely brought my Hokie socks to work on during the annual Commonwealth Cup game. Yay! Much knitting was accomplished! Yay! University of Virginia: 14, Virginia Tech: 17. The Hokies will make their next appearance in Tampa next week for the ACC title game. Woohoo!

Knitting on hold...

I have lost my knitting mojo. Nothing is exciting anymore. I have been spending entirely too much time on facebook and websudoku. I dream in numbers and grids. I try to find really interesting things to put as my "what are you doing?" headline.

Thankfully, Hokiehubby hauled our butts out of the house yesterday. We went to Hampton for the Air and Space Center. It was pretty cool, but the kids still enjoy the Living Museum or the Children's Museum more. They are still a little young for appreciating all the cool planes. Some of the hands-on exhibits were malfunctioning. They did fine, though. I think as long as they can look at things and run around they are happy.

I have stalled out a little on housework. I had hoped to clean off the front porch the other day so we could decorate for Christmas, but it hasn't happened yet. I need to make dinner for a friend who had a baby and I'm making soup for tonight.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Who's your knitter?

Not me, not today, apparently. However, I am on FIRE! I have completely cleaned not one but both of my bathrooms. I hate cleaning bathrooms; I think we all know why. But today, they are clean. Really clean. Also today, I made a loaf of bread to go with my applebutter! Yay! I have just shy of 8 cups of applebutter. I was really hoping to can it to take to my MOPS group, but I'm not going to have enough for everyone. Maybe I'll take some to share at brunch and package a jar with some other goodies as a raffle basket... that's actually a decent idea.

Applebutter:
6 pounds of granny smith apples, peeled/cored/sliced
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 Tbls cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves

Make apples into applesauce by simply microwaving until mushy.
Put everything into the crockpot on low overnight.
Blend until smooth.
All done. You can process it in your canner, or it will keep for a month in the icebox, indefinitely in the freezer.
This makes a nice tart applebutter. Use more white sugar (up to 2 cups) for sweeter applebutter.

Adventure in the Kitchen, Part 1

I'm making applebutter! I'll let you know how it goes, but right now it smells soooooo good.

Maybe I should bake some bread to go with it...

That's what little boys are made of

I went to Yarn for Supper last night for an evening of adult-ness. It was very nice. Uninterrupted thought processes ensued. Knitting occurred. Coffee was consumed. Then I reached into my jacket pocket for my wrist warmers.

I found a frog and a spider. Can you tell I have kids?

I suck at knitting

I just haven't been able to get my head in the game. Maybe it's the yarn (STC Bamboo). Maybe it's the project (scarf). Maybe it's the pattern (cat's paw lace). Maybe it's the recipient (my sister, Cat). I just don't know.

I think I'll go fondle my new Malabrigo sock in Caribeno and try to feel inspired.

Secret Pal 13

I'm a little late getting this up, but such is me.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I keep being drawn to Schaefer's Anne, but probably because that was the yarn for my 2nd pair of socks, and they were a wonderful experience.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Sadly, whatever I have on hand. Right now, DPNs are all together in DPN tubes, my new KP Options (yay!) are hanging out in the bag they came in, and my straights (which I rarely use any more) are in a bin in the closet. I'd like to get binder or case, similar to the one Knit Picks sells for the options, but I need a bargain! Some other knitters I know have a binder fromBass Pro Shops that seems to work well.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? In 2002, I learned how to knit at a class at the YMCA in Blacsburg, VA. Hokiehubby was fighting wildfires out in Utah and California and I needed something fun to do.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I did, but I haven't managed it lately.

5. What's your favorite scent? Oh, I really don't have one. Herbals, perhaps.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I do have a bit of a sweet tooth, but I try not to indulge often. When I do, I like dark chocolate or cookies and cream ice cream.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I have a mild interest in scrapbooking, but I suck at printing pictures. Ah, spinning. Maybe someday, but I can't afford it.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to Christian mostly (KLOVE on the radio), but I like popular stuff (top 40? Do they still call it that?), country, bluegrass like Alison Krauss and Nickel Creek. If I had a gaming system, I would own Rock Band and sing it all night long! I have an iPod.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Blues and greens, reds and purples. I like my colors saturated, I'm not into pastels.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married and have two preschoolers (boy and girl). I have a dog and a cat.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I would if it were cold enough.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I like socks and lace, but I'm feeling the need to do another sweater (I recently finished my first! Central Park Hoodie!).

13. What are you knitting right now? A scarf for my sister out of bamboo, and trying to cast on some socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circs-just got my nickel-plated Knit Picks Options. I mostly use wooden for my socks, I like my Britany Birch.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, I have a knitter friend down the street with a set, but maybe someday.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Baby blanket from when I was pregant the first time, in 2003/04.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe? I love Christmas, but not because of the presents, because of Baby Jesus.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Not so much. Unless yarn counts. I really should try that whole yarn diet thing and knit from stash. Nah.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Nothing I'm dying for, but I'd like to have the Harlot's calendar. I try not to think to hard on the other stuff cuz I don't knit very fast and I'm afraid I'll end up with an unruly stash. I have a small house.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Two color knitting. I've been meaning to try the Endpaper Mitts or some other mitten.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am. I'm a size 8 1/2US. 8 1/2 inches around the ball, 9 inches heel to big toe.

23. When is your birthday? February 24

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? ptownhokie

Scenes from Psycho

There they were, just sitting there. The Hokiekiddos were watching the Snowman, eyes fixed on the screen in awe and wonder. I slipped away. I needed to take care of some business. I go into the bathroom and sit for a few minutes. All is still quiet. I know the movie is not very long, but I figure I have enough time for a shower. I turn on the water. I listen from the bathroom to judge how much of the movie is left. They're flying now. Okay, so I have enough time to shower and then the movie will be over. It's all good. I step into the shower. Oh, the hot water feels so good! There is nothing like a shower to...
"Get out of the bathroom, please."
"I want a dookie!" Hokiegirl demands.
"I just want to take my shower. I'll be done in a little bit."
"Uhhh!" She tries to close the door repeatedly. It's a tough door to close.
"Mama, I'm firsty." It's Hokieboy this time.
"Please just let me take a shower!"
"But I'm firsty!"
"There's nothing I can do right now; I'm in the shower."
"Uhh!"
Did I misjudge the length of the movie? No, it was still on when I got out of the shower. Kids really have a knack for knowing the best times to be annoying.

Just another dreary day

Today is Friday, and we have no events scheduled. I did finally get some sweats on rather than stay in my nightgown all day. I'm starting to doubt the feasibility of keeping both children out of school and homeschooling. It's not that I think I can't do it. I can. Hokieboy can. He is so smart. He taught himself how to write his name. I swear I had nothing to do with it. Sadly. Anyway, I just wonder if I can handle having both kids home. Hokieboy can only go to MOPS this year and next and same thing for CBS. Family will start talking about school when summer comes and I think he wants to go. Dunno how to explain that his school will be our house. Hokiegirl will be giving up naps soon. Everyday it gets harder to convince her she needs one. And I have zero motivation to do anything lately.

Started the cat scarf for my sister. The yarn is STC Bamboo and it is super drapy. It's very soft and lovely, but I'm not sure lace is what it wants to be. Oh well, I'll keep on with it and see what I think later. After finishing my Central Park Hoodie, I've had kind of a block. Nothing I knit satisfies. Just more motivation issues, I guess.

It was a dark and stormy day

Today was Bible study day. I was up at 6 to get showered and dressed and make lunches. I was able to check my email before getting the kids dressed and into the car at 730. Traffic was really odd this morning, with lots of accidents from the Beach to Ptown, but none on my way out, thankfully. We had a shorter-than-normal wait to get into the tunnel (only about 10 minutes) and then smooth sailing out to Lynnhaven. So we pull into the parking lot, I shut the engine down, and it starts raining. Hard. Seriously?? Oh well.

It was a good morning. Of our little ones that usually cry, only one did and only for a few minutes. That was nice, especially since we were short staffed. Our nursery worker's son in law lost his battle with cancer earlier this week, and one of our teachers was in a bad car accident last week. She had to be cut from her car and had surgery to repair a broken hip socket. She is okay, tired and doing physical therapy. Hokieboy misses her.

It was raining pretty steadily all the way home, which made driving a little tense. We made it safely. Now I just hope that the truck doesn't leak like it usually does. Last time we got a steady rain, it got into the steering column and the horn kept honking randomly. That was fun. Sure. So if you're driving around Ptown and hear a horn honking that won't stop, it's mine. Sorry.

A MOPS Mom Rambles

I am utterly exhausted. Just for today, I hope. We had MOPS this morning and it went well. I love MOPS and all that it stands for. I'm enjoying being Coordinator. But sometimes, I feel like others are simply going through the motions. I think maybe I try too hard. I do too much on my own. Maybe I just need to rely on my steering team more and ask them for help. I just want everyone to come to MOPS and have a good time, but not have to worry about the behind the scenes stuff. So, I show up every Tuesday and help with set up. Then I come in early on Wednesday to finish any details and whatever. Of course, I am the last member out each week, followed only by the mentor moms who finish the dishes without my kiddos running around like chickens. So, this Thanksgiving, I am thankful that there is only one MOPS meeting this month, and it's over.

The Monster Caramel Apples were a hit, though.

In and Out

5:45am: awoke to the sounds of many cars parking in front of my house to vote.

7am: lines around the block.

8:45am: left for normal Tuesday activities; long lines still there.

2pm: walked to church to vote.

2:07pm: walked home.

The walk to and from the church took longer than the entire voting process.