and while there is rain/storms in the forecast today, this isn’t a typo.  I am serious, pain pain go away.

Yesterday, it was cloudy and foggy in the morning but the afternoon turned out at be an awesome day.  When we got home from church, my older boys challenged me to a game of street basketball.  I took their challenge and beat them in the first round we played.  Then fell to heap on my neighbors lawn begging for mercy.  My neighbors laughed but the boys persisited to challenge me to another game.  I just couldn’t keep that pace, so they settled for a very sedate round of h-o-r-s-e and d-a-d-d-y which I quickly lost.  I was ok with it. 

After a brief rest, Jac asked me to jump on the trampoline.  Since I played with the older boys, I knew I had to indulge him as well.  So off we went.  I think I surprised Jac with a move I made and he screamed for his sisters to see.  They came running with camera in tow.  Well, do you think Cass could capture this move on the 2nd try?  3rd?  19th?  No, it took me 20 times in a row for her to get this one shot.

Personally I think it was a conspiracy to just completely wipe me out for the day.  By bedtime last night I was just a mass of pain.  Didn’t sleep well (but hey, that’s nothing new) and this morning I think I ache from my mid back to my ankles.  Let’s not even talk about the splitting headache or the swollen knee.  I am thinking I will be conducting school from the couch today.  I further think I am getting old.

I pray that your day full of blessings.

Ok so I should have cleaned out the loom room/office yesterday.  It wasn’t a pretty day so I really had no excuse not to clean.  But alas, I worked on fibery stuff while the kids watch their Saturday morning shows.

First, here’s what’s on my wheel. (pardon the really bad pictures)

The picture doesn’t show it, but it’s a lime green/hot pink combo I dyed up one night while playing around with dye colors

Then the mail came, and my Spindolyn had arrived.  I used the money from a scarf sale to take the kids to lunch and then bought myself this baby (by the way, their lunch was more expensive then the Spindolyn).

I had to give it a try right away so I grabbed some of the roving off my wheel (picture above) and started in.  It’s a quill supported spindle, so I just put the base between my knees and had at it.  It spins so nicely.  I did quite a bit just playing.  Would be great to take to the park or spin outside without bringing the wheel with me.  Nice and affordable.

Then…the knitting.  I received my swap partner for the Wee Tiny Sock Exchange.  The idea was to get your partner on Saturday and knit and get the sock in the mail on Monday.  Sock done.  Will go out tomorrow.

Then I finished one sock from my Lorna’s Laces OSU colorway and got to at least cast on for it’s mate.

Then I knitted on my Climbing Lace Socks from Tabitha’s Knits.

Again, Lorna’s Laces yarn.  This is a little slower going for me, because it’s lace and even though it’s an easy pattern repeat, I need to pay attention to what I am doing and try to only knit on it while the kid-lets are sleeping.  I did get one pattern repeat (4 rounds) done and then realized it was time to run our errands and get some lunch.

So off to Sam’s and the consignment shop we went.  Picked up some good buys as well as letting the kids graze the “samples” at Sam’s.  While that would have been lunch for me, they were still hungry so off to eat we went.

When we got home, most of the kids ran off to play and I transferred Bonnie’s wonderful art drawing to a canvas tote bag.

And then started knitting a pair of OD green socks for my favoritest soldier in the world.

Then it was time to cook dinner and start getting settled down for the night.

Whew…tough day knitting (and a bit of spinning), but someone HAD to step up to the plate and do it.  I took my turn, now how about you taking yours?

So, Kat mentioned that she’d never had sopapillas before.  Well, this is for you then. 

I whipped up a batch while the rice was cooking and the kids had one of their favorite lunches, rice and beans, along with sopapillas for a special treat.

Sopapillas

6 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp oil

1 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 c warm water

Put all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl (I use a Kitchen Aide stand mixer).  Add oil and mix until well blended.  Add water a little at a time until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.  Let stand 10 minutes. 

On a floured board, roll out an egg sized piece of dough.  I cut into squares.  Fry in hot oil until golden brown on both sides.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm with honey. 

Socks For Soldiers turned 2 years old this week.  I have pretty much been with them since the beginning (give or take a month or so), even though I accidentally unsubscribed myself there for a bit.  (duh…what do you expect from a lady who uses under arm spray instead of hair spray).  Anyway, I’ve been dyeing the socks for them now for quite awhile.  I was, therefore, blessed and honored to receive the ”Dyed In The Wool American Patriot Award”.  Bonnie, the resident artist over at SFS, drew this picture to represent a typical secene here at the house while dyeing socks.  I am going to get it put on a coffee mug so I can cherish the award and still drink my life’s blood at the same time.

Isn’t this an amazing picture?

I just love it.  I really think Bonnie captured our life here.  Kids always lurking around me, some with school books, some just peaking, a loom calling to me, and our hero hanging out with us even while so far away. The kids loved that they were a part of the picture and easily identified themselves in the picture.

Thank you again to Kim and to Bonnie for making me feel very special.

Lynne asked us to post these for our Sweet Treat Partner to read.  So, Kat, this one is for you (and Lynne too)

1. What were your three favorite treats in your Halloween bag? Hmmmm….well back in the day when Halloween was “fun” I think bottle caps, mini candy bars, and sweet tarts were my favorites. 

2. What were the three treats that you would trade away? Candy corn for sure.  But mom liked that so she ate all of ours. Got rid of the caramels and other chewy candy.  Not to big into chewy things I guess.

3. Do you bake? Oh yea

4. Do you order dessert in a restaurant? If so, what is your favorite dessert? Rarely.  Normally when we eat out, there are 5 kiddos in tow and it adds up

5. Tell me about your favorite Candy-colored yarns, and what candy are they inspired from? hmmmmmm lately I have been into cotton candy pink and lime green so I guess that would be more of a sherbert thing rather then candy.  Unless we were thinking Jolly Ranchers

6. When you knit a special “icing on the cake” accessory  for your outfit, would you knit …… socks, a scarf, a hat or a bag? I’d have to say knitting socks and weaving a scarf

7. Describe the perfect ice cream sundae. Sugar Free Ice Cream, Sugar Free Chocolate Fudge, Cashews, lots of whipped topping, and a cherry on top.  (oh and all this sugar free stuff…made with Splenda )

8. Are there any knitting treats that you would love to add to your collection? hmmmmmm I honestly don’t know of anything.

A book you would like for your library? ummmmm Knitted Socks by Anna Tillman

A knitting gadget for your notions bag? hmmm….I just love gadets and can always use “more” of them (ha ha)

A sweet yarn? Is there an unsweetened yarn?

9. Think about the best homemade dessert from Mom or Grandma. Do you have the recipe to share? No I really don’t.  I don’t remember mom or grandma cooking very much.  Hmmmmmm how about Jim’s favorite instead

No Bake Cookies

1 3/4 cup of sugar

1/2 cup milk

4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup crunchy peanutbutter

3 cups quick oats

1 tsp vanilla

Combine sugar, milk, and butter in a heavy saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Cook an additional 1 1/2 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in peanutbutter, oats, and vanilla. Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper.  Let cool til set.

10. What local or regional treats would you insist your swap partner try if she visited your town? Sopapillas with honey and butter.

11. Cupcakes….talk amongst yourselves. Yum.  I love cupcakes.

Ok…it’s time to fess up. For the last few weeks I’ve been noticing that my hair has been really limp and non-responsive.  I’ve wondered what was going on with it.  I also noticed that my deoderant wasn’t working the greatest anymore.  Do you see where this is going?  Oh I didn’t…not for awhile.  Today I finally realized that I’ve been using my underarm spray for my hair spray and my hair spray for my under arms.  Bet I’ve had the least sweatiest head in the neighborhood.  I just wonder now if I’ve actually been using face moisturizer or something else?

Monday I made Armenian Cracker Bread.

A very simple flat bread to make.  On it’s own a little bland, but add some infused olive oil, hummus, or even some sesame dressing…BANG!  A hit.

~~~~~

Wednesday I made Indian Fry Bread.

mmmmmmmm.  A little butter or honey and it’s great.  Add some refried beans, chopped lettuce, cheese, and salsa….LUNCH!

Add a lesson about Armenia and the Navajo Indians and we’ve got history and geography covered as well.

Lynne, hosted another special swap.  This one was a spa theme.  Awesome.  I received my package from Kim with some delay.  But it wasn’t her fault.  My postal person marked it for the wrong box and was actually delivered to a different person.  They realized it wasn’t theirs and it was then held for me.  My postal people are great and know me by name these days so we had a nice time chatting while there today. But I digress…onto the goodies.  Since this was a spal swap, I was so spoiled.  I received these awesome Feet things (ok so the techinical name currently escapes me) but inside is a lavendar mixture that you can either microwave to warm your feet or freeze to cool your feet (honey you’d like that one I am sure), there was a scrub, a bath fizzy thing, very cool yarn (silk wool blend) dyed by Kim herself. Lemon drop jelly beans (that the kids are drooling over but I refuse to share), a chocolate orange truffle coffee blend that is currently brewing (mmm) and the coolest Kokopeli coffee cup.  Everything had a earthen type color and just looking at the overall package was quite soothing.  Thanks again Kim, for a great package. 

Our next swap is a Sweet Treats Swap.  Heatherly, I read what you wrote for me, and Kat, your info is coming.

Kimberly Means:

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.
You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don’t spill secrets or spread gossip.
People sometimes think you’re snobby or aloof, but you’re just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.  

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It’s easy to get you excited… which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don’t stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.
You master any and all skills easily. You don’t have to work hard for what you want.
You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you’ll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous.
You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things.
Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You’re always up to something.
You have a ton of energy, and most people can’t handle you. You’re very intense.
You definitely are a handful, and you’re likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.
You are light hearted and accepting. You don’t get worked up easily.
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.
You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.
You may miss out by not settling down, but you’re too busy having fun to care.

Go HERE and find out what your name means and let me know.

I made another hat using Terry’s Pattern.  Josh likes it a lot and wanted it.  I had originally made it for Socks For Soldiers (link on the left side bar) but alas, Kim O (our fearless leader) insisted that I let Josh keep it.  Chris wants one next and well…it’s gonna trickle down and I am sure all the kids will want one too.  I shall be making more I know.

Then there are the purple socks.  I love purple. 

Yesterday we did our “bible drill”.  I throw out a bible verse and let the kids race to find it.  They love it.  Stickers are given to the winner of the round.  The child at the end of month with the most stickers gets a prize.

I happened to look down in my lap and noticed my current sock in progress.  Does this mean God approves of my knitting?

And I leave you with this final picture and a note.  My very first knitting project was a pair of socks, two at a time, toe up, using two circular needles.  I mean why not start big, right?  Anyway, it seems lately though, I have been going for the dpns more then the circs.  I haven’t wanted to carry my dpns in my on the go knitting bag because they are the beautiful wooden needles from Knit Picks.  (no honey I didn’t buy them recently…I’ve had them since before you left )  Anyway, I found this awesome needle keep from Marelle.  It’s made out of PVC and your needles and project stow in there safely.  You just drop the tube into your knitting bag and head on out.  But what’s even better was the service and communication.  Marilyn kept in touch with me from initial order, shipping, and to make sure I received.  I hope to order more from her in the future if I buy more dpns.

…the more behind I realize I am.  Do you all feel that way sometimes?  I can’t believe I haven’t posted since Thursday.  I can’t believe I didn’t update you on “the date”.  Or Easter, or my bagels.  What can I say….life is crazy.  It’s springtime and warmer and I am outside with the kids and all that good stuff.  Ok, let’s see if we can catch up in one post.

Thursday’s Date:

Lunch was fantabulous!  Chris and I spent and enjoyable time eating lunch and just talking. I look back at the scared little boy he was when he first came to live with us 4 years ago.  He had some real issues that we needed to deal with and deal with pretty quickly.  Now, at 12, there’s a new mark of maturity and confidence to him.  He’s truly standing out in a crowd and I am so proud of him.  After lunch, we headed to the feed and seed store and checked out the baby chicks and bunnies (although, thankfully since it was right before Easter, they decided to pull the bunnies and not make them available for sale).  Then we headed back home.  Four other children greeted us and Chris ran off to play. 

Friday:

More bagel making.  I ended the week with a freezer full of bagels and kids tummies full of them as well:

We ended up making the following kinds of bagels: plain, egg, cranberry nut, strawberry nut, banana nut, pizza, honey, maple oat, jam, cheese, and my complete fav, mocha java.  Thursday I brought a plate of strawberry nut outside for the kids and their friends to snack on.  A dozen bagels snatched off the plate in record time by a dozen kids.  One boy asked if I make stuff like this all the time.  My oldest son said yes.  Another child went on to say that last summer mom made all kinds of snacks for their friends.  This boy assured me that he would be hanging out at our place this summer since his mom doesn’t make anything but TV dinners.

Saturday’s Sidewalk:

Saturday turned out to be a great day to be outside.  The kids played ball, rode bikes, and colored every sidewalk or driveway they could get their hands on.  For some reason all my pictures didn’t turn out, but I love this one.

Note to self….must get more chalk for the kids.  I tried to keep them in our area, but several families gave permission to go up their sidewalks and driveways.  Truly an art filled neighborhood.

Sonday’s Highlights:

Sunday was Easter so we started off by heading to church.  Like last year, the Saturday before was great, but Sunday morning was cold and windy.  Church was awesome.  Came home to find that the Eater “Maddy” (a new word devised by a child on the way home from church…maddy= mom+daddy…look Kelly word math!) did indeed make a visit.  I don’t think the kids realize that each year, that mad dash back into the house by mom because she “forgot” her bible equates to the Easter pressies coming out.  This year, the Easter Maddy was cheap (ummm not cheap…frugal…no not frugal…economizing…no..ok really she just couldn’t get into the spirit of things).  The kids didn’t need a ton of candy and in this family sometime simple is the best way to go.

Each child got a bucket (or feed bowl), a solid chocolate bunny, some smaller bunnies, and an Easter soap.  The Valentine’s soap was such a hit, the Easter Maddy went with it again for this holiday.  Again, score.  The kids love the idea of their own personal soaps for shower time.  (yes, my friend K and I plan to learn to make soap…maybe shower time will be a little more effective with the kids own soaps).

Then our company arrived and there were 9 kids and 3 mommies (the daddies are all deployed).

There was basketball playing:

There was Easter Egg Hunting:

Eighty-eight eggs were hidden.  All were found.  All contained coins.  Some larger then others.  Two had golden dollars in them.  Guess who found BOTH?

Tall boy standing in the back.  Yes, Chris found both golden dollars.  (he later confessed that he thinks tithing really works since he spent all is money taking me out to lunch and since Thursday he’s gotten almost all of it back already!)

Then there was eating:

(note: this picture taken after nearly every one had been served and potato bowl refilled.  And that cute flower pot…dirt cake.  My kids were in love with that idea.)

After dishes were done (thanks so much K and C for help with the clean up.  I could get used to that), company went home and we all reflected on a wonderful day of fun and fellowship.

And finally:

Flowers that were on the altar in memory of my momma.

~~~~~~~

I actually have some other fibery updates but alas, those will have to wait as the kids are ready to start our school day.  Since we have co-op this afternoon, we need to make sure all our schoolwork is done before noon. Stay tuned.