WOW It's WhAcKeD OuT WeDnEsDaY Again!!!!

First I want to tell you about a contest I happened to find for some great Valentines Day themed prizes Head to Bitty Bits to check it out. It ends soon so go get your name in on it now. Please let her know I sent you, I get an extra 5 votes for that.
I have bought a bunch of yarn in the last couple weeks. It is all for specific projects not just random buying. I got it all from Hand Made in Eagle Idaho. They just moved into a great new building and have this excellent sale going on. You can check out their online store in the previous link. I think my friend Deb and I are going to escape on Saturday and head that way (because one can never have enough yarn). I want to get some Alpaca for a shawl for my MIL and maybe some Flat Feet sock yarn. Google that one I can't find just a link for Flat Feet but it is some neat stuff.Here is what I bought so far.


Hope your Wednesday wasn't too Whacked Out.
Hugs & Kisses

Hot Cocoa Swap Weekly topic #3

The Great Debate Marshmallows or Whipped Cream

How do you prefer you top your cocoa? If you like marshmallows, do they need to be the big ones, little ones, homemade, gourmet, flavored? If it’s whipped cream, is it fresh, the kind in the can, flavored? Or are you a fluff gal? Or… do you like your cocoa naked? Tell us about how you top off your favorite cup of chocolate!

I can drink my cocoa naked of course but I prefer to dress it up all frilly with some whipped cream. I like the real cream kind in the whoosh can. I like to sometimes sprinkle a little cinnamon or chocolate shavings on top of my whipped cream. Mmmmm
Oh and sometimes I squirt the whipped cream right into my mouth. :)

Friday Fill in

#108


And here we go....

1. Oh, I am so _____cold!

2. I love_____ changes, big and little.

3. During _____CSI, I _____don't move.

4.More snow ____; are you kidding me???

5. Right now I'd like to be _____somewhere warm.

6. My cell phone_____ is my favorite gadget.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _spending time with hubby____, tomorrow my plans include___ watching my kids dance during halftime at the high school_____ and Sunday, I want to _____knit with my friend!

WHACKED OUT WEDNESDAY

Oh my Goodness, It's Whacked Out Wednesday and I almost forgot. The holiday on Monday has thrown my week off. So what did I do today? Um I got my hair cut & Colored. Yes, I color my hair. But make no mistake I blond to the core.
Mostly I tried to stay warm today. It was 29 degrees. Bone chilling cold. I know some of you live in places that are much colder, but here in Idaho we have this inversion. It is like a dampness that sets in and holds the frost on things. It is a winter fog. And really it just stinks. But in order for the fog to lift it will actually need to rain and that is supposed to happen tomorrow. And then maybe snow. UGH!!!
Oh I am so ready for the winter to end. I think I'll go make some Hot Cocoa. :)

Cocoa Swap Weekly Topic #2

This is my second assignment for the
Hot Cocoa Swap 2
This is how I make my hot cocoa.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer (can be flavored if you like)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1. Measure all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk them until they are evenly blended.

2. Store the mix in a tightly covered container at room temperature

The chocolate chips in this recipe make this cocoa extra rich with out it being too sweet. If you like it creamier use more non dairy creamer or add a splash of half & half to your cup.
Of course I love Whipped Cream on mine.

I really like this recipe, it reminds me of old fashion Hot Cocoa. ENJOY!!

Scavenger Hunt Clarification

Before I go on to our latest contest on the Cocoa Swap I need to clarify. So many of you answered the last question on the scavenger hunt with my name. I do not need Stitch Holders my answer was that I didn't have any fancy stitch markers.

Okay I feel better now. :)

WHACKED OUT WEDNESDAY

Truth be told I have been staying up way too late and reading blog after blog. Looking for fun stuff including giveaways of course. I think it will be fun to have a WHACKED OUT WEDNESDAY theme each week. It means I can post about whatever I want on Wednesday.
So here we go. I found this really cool gals blog and became a follower Forever and Always She does all kinds of reviews and giveaways. One in particular I am loving is Eleven Shoes Give Away you can go read about it in the above link. I really want to win some of those shoes.
I also learned how to become a follower of a blog recently from my friend Darcy and am having a blast following peoples blogs. It is so cool to be able to go to my dashboard and see everything new that is being blogged about and to click right from there to open up my friends blogs. If you want a followers gadget on your blog so people can easily click and follow you just go to your dashboard (if you use blogger) choose layout and add a gadget. Then just click on Follower and it will get you all set up It is super easy and a really fun feature.

Scavenger Hunt Answers

The Following is part of my first weeks homework for the Cocoa Swap I am in. By doing this I get my name put in a drawing for some yummy prize. Wish me luck!!!

1.Who wants to try plant fibers?
Emily
2. Who wants to learn to crochet?
Michelle
3. Who collects yarn?
Sarah, Ruth, Penny, Michelle, Chelle, Mary Lynn, Kate, Jenn, Holly & Emily
4. Who Loves yellow?
Alicia
5. Who doesn't like fruit flavors?
Jenn
6. Who loves Malabrigo (who doesn't??? hahaha)?
Ruth & Alicia
7. Who has one mitt to go to finish her Endpaper Mitts?
Elizabeth
8. Who's favorite animal is a dog?
Michelle, Mary Lynn, Jenn, Holly, Chelle, Chan, & Alicia
9. Who likes to paint?
Kathy
10. Who has too many stitch markers?
Chelle, Chan, and Ariel
11. Who likes Bailey's in their cocoa?
Sarah, Becca, Jenn & Chan
12. Who likes Starbucks salted caramel cocoa?
Holly & Darcy
13. Who can't stand vanilla flavored cocoa?
Chan
14. Whose favorite animal is a hedgehog?
Ariel
15. Who might stab themselves over Neon Yarn?
Laurie (me)
16. Whose oldest UFO is at least 15 years old?
Kate
17. Who likes crystallized ginger?
Chelle
18. Who likes whipped cream in their cocoa?
Ruth, Monica, Mary Lynn, Penny, Laurie, Michelle, Kate, Elizabeth, Alicia, Rachel &
Chan's husband
19. Who likes marshmallow fluff in their cocoa?
Becca
20. Who needs stitch holders?
Holly

Phat Fiber Giveaway

I joined the Contestants group at Ravelry a week or so ago. Well Phat Fiber is having some fantastic give aways in preparation for opening her etsy shop. Today I saw one for a great KIP bag made by Brenda in her Ruddawg etsy shop. I linked here so you can all try to win some fun stuff too.

Cocoa Swap Questionnaire

The Yarn…

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both?
I do both but knit much more than I crochet.
2. What is your favorite one-skein project? What item do you find you knit the most of?
So far my favorite is the “Everybody’s Doing Shrug” I think I have knit more hats than anything or soakers it is a toss up.
3. Do you like using a particular type of needle or hook? (wood, metal, straight, circular) Is there something you’ve been wanting to try, or a particular size you always seem to be short on?
I like metal addi circulars. I really want to try them in 12” for socks. I am also interested in the KP circulars with a 40” cord. I don’t have 1s 2s or 3s anything for socks.
4. What’s on your needles\hook right now? What’s your oldest UFO (unfinished object)?
Right now I am finishing a shrug I also have a pair of socks on dpns for me and a pair on circs for my daughter. My oldest UFO is a felted vest I started for DH about 2 years ago. The yarn is truly nasty feeling and I need to frog it and wash the yarn so I can start over.
5. What are your favorite types of yarns? Are you allergic to any yarns, or just hate working with something? Anything type/brand of yarn you’ve been dying to try?
I despise acrylic. Sorry, I am a bit of a yarn snob. :) I love wool (bfl is what I mostly knit with) Wool blends are okay too. I am dying to try HandMaiden Seacell or Great Big Sea or a silk/wool blend of some sort.
6. Are you on Ravelry? Yes I am Desert Knitta
7. What are your favorite colors? Brights? Pastels? More muted colors? Variegated? Are there that make you want to stab yourself in the eye with your needles?
I like all colors. Pastels, Earthy, Variegated are all good. I like brown and blue blends, turquoise, anything really as long as it is not neon. I might stab myself in the eye if I got neon yarn LOL
8. What is your favorite knit accessory, your fancy needles? stitch markers? your yarn cutter? What do you have TOO many of? What do you wish you had?
I am in love with my addi turbos I wish I had a cable needle necklace. I don’t have a row counter or fancy stitch markers. Can you have TOO many of anything knitting related????


The Chocolate

1. Do you prefer boxed/packets, or something homemade?
Either is fine.
2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?
Whipped cream definitely!
3. Do you use any ‘add ins’
Just whipped cream. But if I got something to add in I would try it. I am adventurous.
4. Are you a year round cocoa drinker or just in the winter months?
Year round but more in the winter.
5. Do you like flavored cocoas or are you just a ’straight chocolate’ kind of person?
I like flavors and straight.
6. Do you enjoy cocoa from restaurants or shops like Starbucks? What are some of your favorites?
I love Starbucks cocoa. I don’t order cocoa out much.
7. You’ve just made the perfect cup of cocoa - is it in a thick mug, or a thinner cup? Where would you sit to drink it?
It is in a thick mug and I would curl up on the couch under my fleece throw.
8. You’re enjoying that perfect cup, what treats will you enjoy with it? Are they sweet or salty? Crunchy? Soft and flaky?
Mmmm I love sweet and salty things. A little crunch is nice and some flakyness too.


It’s all YOU!

1. Do you have other hobbies like spinning or scrapbooking?
I sew, I love to garden, I dye my own yarn and am learning to spin this year.
2. Do you collect anything?
Mugs, old keys and fabric LOL
3. What is your favorite part of Winter?
My favorite part of winter is when it is turning into spring Hahaha I don’t really like winter. I am okay if I can stay inside and keep warm.
4. What sort of scents do you enjoy? Any difference in what you like for your house versus what you like for your body?
I love spicy scents, citrus spice, vanilla spice pumpkin spice. I don’t like real heavy scented body fragrance. Something light and citrus is nice. I love Lavender anything !
5. Are you allergic to anything?
No allergies
6. Are you on Ravelry? What’s your ID?
Yes I am Desert Knitta
7. How would you spend an ideal winter afternoon/day?
Curled up with a hot mug and a book or my knitting. Oh with one of the cats at my feet.
8. What’s your favorite animal?
Giraffe

Fun stuff for a wee one

Last night we blessed a friend at MNO who is expecting her 2nd wee one this month. I made her a cute little Hudson Hat without the ear flaps and a quilted burpie cloth. She was kind enough to email me a picture since I forgot to take one myself.