Here We GOOOOO....

Here we Goooooo!!!!!!

Both teams are good teams but this household is black and gold all the way.













Looking quite regal in his Steeler gear. There are no kerchiefs for the girls because Mr. Bettis thinks kerchiefs are perfect for dragging the girls down the hall (eyeroll here).










The Super Bowl menu: Crock pot chili, crescent weiners, pizza appetizers, buffalo chicken dip, chips, salsa, garlic deer bologna, cheese and of course baked gobs (or better known as whoopie pies) Steeler style.
Here we goooooo!!!!

Two More Sleeps

Two more sleeps till the Big Day and I'm still elbow deep in cookie dough. This makes two weeks worth of cookie baking. I'm all cookie-ed out. But we have tins and tins of cookies in the pantry. Today was the day for gingersnaps and the good ole standby sugar cookies.The youngest was here to help whip those babies on the cookie sheets.

Several sheets full of yummy goodies.

I am a cookie cutter collector. I have no idea why, I just like to collect cookie cutters (I also use them). Holiday and everyday cutters, doesn't matter I love 'em all. The last ones to jump in the cookie bowl are the teeny tiny cutters. Great for using up that last bit of dough.

We finished with an entire cookie sheet of bite size goodies. Wrapping is finished. Cookies are baked. Breakfast casserole will be done tomorrow. I'm missing something.......oh yeah....the unfinished knitting. Oh well, there's always next year :).

Surprise Package

Surprise! A package arrived yesterday from Chan.
She knows I have a fascination with card-making so she sent a package of goodies so I can play. (or more like create another hobby;).

I opened the box and couldn't wait to sit down and play. A trimmer, stamp set, cards and a journal were packed inside.






This is my very first card. Not perfect in any way but I had so much fun with it.
I have plans. I have BIG plans with this new found hobby.
The DH is calling Chan an enabler.....LOL

Thank you so much dear friend. Your thoughtfulness will brighten my days.







The empty box fascinated the cats. Normally they climb inside for a much needed nap but they rejected the idea after a sniff test. I think it may have been the treats that were included for Mr. Bettis & Co. that turned them off.









These treats were a BIG hit! I've never seen the crew go after treats like they went after this package. They were sniffing the inside of the box before I could even get to the goodies.
Peanut butter creme sandwich cookies from the girls, Sissy and Gretchen.














Mr. Bettis had a sniff and I had to grab the package from his mouth. They each got a cookie and Mr. B licked his chops afterward for 10 minutes.
I will be purchasing these for good behavior only. *sigh* it will either encourage good behavior or I may end up with a stock pile of peanut butter dog cookies.
Mr. Bettis & Co send big kisses to Chan, Sissy and Gretchen for the yummy cookies.

El Cheapo

Frugal living continues around here. I use Vanilla creamer in my coffee. It costs $2.98 a container and I purchase one of those a week. (I drink a LOT of coffee) That's an expense that needs to be cut.

Cheap flavored creamer
1 cup of non-dairy powdered creamer
1 cup of 10X (confectioner's sugar)
1 1/4 tsp of vanilla

Put in jar with lid and shake until the vanilla is thoroughly mixed. I put it in an empty powdered creamer container and labeled it. The hubby doesn't like flavored creamer so it's mine, all mine:).






I need some sweetness.

I have had quite a few requests for my cheap kitchen scrubbies. Here's the history: I found the pattern on a knitting site. I faved it, or so I thought because now I can't locate it. (seriously, has anyone seen how many faves I have on there? no wonder I can't find it.....lol) So I will post my version of what I remember.

EL CHEAPO SCRUBBY

Red Heart worsted weight yarn (acrylic is wonderful for scrubbing )

Size US G crochet hook

Gauge: Doesn't matter

This is worked back and forth so DO NOT JOIN.

Row 1: Chain 7

Row 2: 2 single crochet in each of 6 chains across. Turn Chain 1

Row 3: 2 single crochet in each single crochet across. Turn and chain 1

Rows 4-6: Repeat Row 3

Do not cut yarn. Slip stitch along side to Row 1.

Hanging loop: Chain 24 (or how many you want to make the loop). Slip stitch in beginning of chain. Cut yarn and work in ends. YEAH! You now have an El Cheapo Scrubby.

When it is dirty just throw in the washer with your rags or towels and it's ready to scrub again.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

I purchased this card to send to my dear friend, Anita. She's had a few ups and downs. I thought this would cheer her.

However, Mr. Bettis managed to grab this from the table while we were out.

He will be contacting his attorney here shortly so they can collaborate an appropriate apology to Anita..

This is the inside of the card, Anita:). No slobber on the inside though and the sentiment is truly meant.

It's a Goody Kind of Day

It's a goody kind of day. Look what arrived from Anita.
She doesn't like to use dpns so she sent them my way. Four whole sets ranging in size from a 2-5. Little furry balls were included for the cats that reside here and if you notice Anita, the blue one has already been snatched by Miss Aurora. She is meowing in the room guarding her prize.

It's difficult to see but if you look on the left she included chocolate kiss stitch markers. They're adorable and if you don't have any of her wonderful talent on your WIP go here and check out her markers. They are a must have item.
Anita is so sweet that she and Jazzy included treats for Mr. Bettis & Co. The little treats are for Miss Molly and Miss Gypsy. The bigger ones are for Mr. Bettis (which will be swallowed whole). Thank you Anita and Mr. Bettis sends big sloppy kisses to you and Jazzy. (He just loves cats, you know. LOL)



A yarn shop was having a 20% off sale. The DH had a little money stashed and he gave it to me for Valentine's Day.
After 24 yrs it has finally hit him that gifts such as a salad shooter/swiffer/broom just don't make the little woman happy on Valentine's Day (now to work on him for the rest of the holidays:).
I snatched this lovely yarn @ 50% off out of the trunk sale. It is Aruacania worsted for the DD a sweater.





I bought this magazine and the DD chose this pink Aruacania sock yarn at 20% off for the Marlena socks in the magazine. It's a Cookie A pattern and I'm anxious to cast on.
Thank goodness Anita sent those dpns in the nick of time:). 'Cos everyone knows I don't have needles..........LOL

Next I found this yarn and it is so soft. It will grow up to be a baby surprise jacket. I have a feeling I'll get two of them out of this yarn.

I stepped out of my baby color range box for this combo.

The DD went along on Saturday and sang (in a rather obnoxious manner) in the car. She chattered and sang throughout the 4 hour car trip and the DH laughingly stated she was easier to take when she was younger. She slept back then.

That statement only prompted more singing and more chatter......LOL

It was fun and we had a good day.

When we arrived home the DD whipped up heart sugar cookies to put in the cookie jar. I'm still lovin' this cookie jar.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Laid Back Sunday

My BFF gave this cookie jar to me for Christmas. It's a Longaberger pottery cookie jar and I love it. She knows I collect cookie jars and enjoy baking cookies. This is perfect. I especially like the lid that seals in the freshness.
She also gave me an I Love Lucy calendar called Best Friends. A little stuffed black sheep was also in the gift bag and it has taken residence on the shelf in the bathroom.

So have a cookie while you finish reading the post. I'm eating one for you, Di:).

It was warm and sunny here today. The temp went up to 61 F. I cracked windows and enjoyed the sunshine. The dogs ran in and out a zillion times but it was okay because it was warm and it was an excuse for me to go out with them.

Mr. Smarty Pants

There's one in every family. Mr. or Ms. Smarty Pants. For reference you may read the comment left in the former post from my son aka Mr. Smarty Pants. He posted under his lovely wife's name, Becca. Of course knowing my dear DIL, she probably had something in on it. LOL.
He has visions not of sugar plums but a hat. As he called it, a simple 1970's style hat. In yellow and black. His comment referred to my inability as a knitter mom to fulfill his wish/vision of such a hat. Keep in mind he requested this hat a week ago. Yes, a week ago. Right smack before Christmas. As knitters know it is not wise for a non-knitter to request a knitted anything right before Christmas.
So I'm calling all knitters to bear arms with pointy sticks and unite! LOL The following is a post to the son:)


Dear First Born Son,
Keep in mind you did recieve a lovely hand knitted aran sweater a few Christmas's ago. A hand knitted hat last Christmas and other knitted items over the years. While you are dreaming of another hand knitted hat, your knitting mother is busy. (and no this is not procrastination as you so commonly call it:).
Please look at the unfinished project (commonly known in knitter's lingo as a UFO) of your sister's sweater to be finished 12/24/2008. Does it look as if she can wear this as is? tsk, tsk, son.


Then of course there is this hat. Another UFO to be finished 12/20/2008 and shipped along with 2 little girl scarves that haven't even made it to the needles yet.







And these gloves. Yet another UFO. To be finished when I see this person. Whenever that may be:).
Not pictured are the numerous pairs of socks to be finished that won't make in Christmas stockings this year including your knitting mother's Christmas socks. Now you will have to look at your mother on Christmas morning in dumb dull socks. Nothing bright or fancy just plain ole' socks.

Let's not forget my visions of knitted gnomes adorning shelves in the house. So far only the body of one is finished. No legs, no arms, just the body. Are you feeling sorry for your mother yet?:) Do you feel sorry for the unfinished knitted gnome?

The elves went on strike around here. As soon as I find the little creatures they're in trouble. Big trouble! How dare they leave me in the midst of all this Christmas mess:)

Do you have any idea how much I detest making pom-poms? Perhaps you could see fit to get your dear knitting mother (who doesn't have nice Christmas socks to wear on Christmas morning) a cheap pom-pom maker:).
So there you have it, son. Logical and reasonable reasons to your knitting request one week before Christmas.


Love,
your knitting mom (who won't have nice, bright, fancy Christmas socks to wear on Christmas morning)

Firecracker

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our wedding anniversary.



The DH was out scouting yard sales and the local farmer's market. He came home with corn on the cob to roast on the grill.






He also scarfed up 4 antique chairs for $5 a piece. They're painted black but when chipped a bit of the paint one can see Oak wood. They will be gorgeous when stripped. I love antiques.
A great anniversary gift.










The child worked very hard this year in her AP classess and received straight "A's" on her report card. She deserved something for her hard work and she's been wanting a bike.
The DH found this while yard shopping and he grabbed it. An American Eagle bike for $25! It is in excellent condition. She was thrilled and promptly went out for a bike ride. Congrats Savannah!



Last but not least I recieved these in the mail from Wendy. I begged and I pleaded for her to make me a set and she did. The socks are a perfect fit on these. They are lightweight and portable. She also included two tea bags as a little gift (ya gotta love knitters).One for night and one for morning. Thank you Wendy. I really enjoy the flower power sock blockers.

(I will consider these to be my anniversary gift to self)


p.s. Thanks to all who offered their advice on the sun poison. Believe me, I tried it all :) and it was appreciated.

Merry Christmas

The youngest daughterbaked more cookies today. This time the cookies required a bit more time.

Decorated sugar cookie. are a lot of fun. It is traditional at our house to make these cookies on Christmas Eve. The daughter also decorated a very nice gingerbread house for decoration on my antique 1900 black cook stove in my kitchen.
.





I leave you now until after Christmas Day. We will be celebrating with family tomorrow.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

Love and peace to all!