tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21136466414102676272024-02-06T19:47:32.446-07:00The Sunny Side of the StreetKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-476516420073359632017-01-05T00:49:00.000-07:002017-01-05T00:49:01.488-07:002016 Recap and 2017 Resolutions<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">2016 was an interesting year for me. There were some definite high points. My biggest priority going into 2016 was to get accepted into graduate school. I was so blessed to be accepted into my top choice. The program is entirely online, so my family was able to remain anchored in Arizona, but is supported by a highly regarded university. What I had no idea was how much of my time it would take. My life during the semester pretty much consists of work, family, homework, and (a little) sleep. Hence the blog fell completely off the deep end. As a matter of fact, I'm still on Christmas break right now, so I had a little extra bandwidth in my schedule to write this.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The other huge thing that happened this year was a promotion at work. I am absolutely thrilled that I got it. I was so nervous during the decision making process. And it's stretched me some in terms of roles and responsibilities. Compounded with this, we've been short handed, leaving me with some long hours. Luckily that should ease up into the coming year.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Unfortunately the year wasn't all fantastic. My mom was in a severe car accident while on vacation this fall. She will ultimately be okay but it will take a while. And there is nothing quite like having to rush halfway across the country to be with her. Luckily for us, she's home now.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The boys continue to grow and change in ways that are fun to watch. C is now in fourth grade and J is now in 1st grade. Hard to believe that C is one of the older kids at the school! They are such interesting people to talk to and be around. The baby years are nice, but there is something magical about the elementary age as they really become their own people. E continues to be my rock and has really provided a strong support for me to lean on as I've gone through stressful times. We celebrated our 15th anniversary this year! And we've now known each other for 20 years, more than half my life. We took our family vacation to San Diego again and stayed for two weeks this time. I've never in my life taken a two week vacation and it was glorious.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Our extended family grew this year with the birth of my nephew. I'm sure I'm biased, but he is so stinkin' cute! Although the boys are really starting to outnumber the girls on that side of the family...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Now for the resolution list:</span></div>
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<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Get accepted into and start grad school - Yes!!! </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Sew a skirt for myself - I tried. I found a pattern online for a skirt sewn from knit fabric that seemed easy enough. No paper piecing, just measuring the fabric, cutting and sewing. However, I cut the wrong way so the skirt isn't stretching the right direction. I also did the math wrong on my ease and added instead of subtracted, so the skirt is about 6 inches too wide! I think based on that fact, I may be able to salvage the fabric.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Lose 10 pounds - Not even close</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Finish the last two stockings - I started one of them</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Read 8 books (Honeymoon Suite - 4/12/16; Babyland - 4/15/16; Heart of the Matter - 4/19/16; a few others I forgot to write down)</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Make truffles - nope</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Blog 24 times - hahahahahaha</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Knit 2 pairs of socks - I've got two pairs on the needles but didn't finish either</span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So it looks like I got through two of my resolutions - 3 if you want to count the skirt that I sewed but couldn't wear. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">On to this year's list:</span></div>
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<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Survive grad school (by the end of this year, I'll have one semester left)</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Finish at least one of the Christmas stockings</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Knit a pair of socks</span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It's not a long list, but considering what a time suck grad school is, I think it's reasonable. I figure I can go nuts on my 2018 resolution list :)</span></div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-41190526302707165162016-01-14T22:00:00.001-07:002016-01-14T22:04:13.455-07:00Knitted Fingerless Mitts<p>About two years ago I decided to make myself a pair of <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2014/01/fingerless-gloves.html" target="_self" title="">fingerless mitts</a> out of my souvenir yarn from our epic <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2013/07/vacation-part-1.html" target="_self" title="">Iowa</a> <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2013/07/vacation-part-2.html" target="_self" title="">family</a> trip. I keep them at work because my office can get quite cold and it's easier to type without the fingers on the mitts.</p><p>Well one of my coworkers seems to have the same issue as me in that her hands get cold in our office. She's even borrowed my mitts a few times. She's also the sweetest person you would ever meet and is always willing to help others around the office. I wanted to do something for her to show her how much I appreciated her.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWZgXnGTAE1JW34W-bx5iPRLw21-io_784tMmJ_pkojLQjGeTwKnS8_6O0bVrXZBKBWYL9-fwx46dTeuxFNsvgjqh5R7QTOsBLbm0dGf0b831JTZJc_xqmSrRvPQr1vjxuwz7JDFBZ5u3/s2048/Photo%25252020160114215949378.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWZgXnGTAE1JW34W-bx5iPRLw21-io_784tMmJ_pkojLQjGeTwKnS8_6O0bVrXZBKBWYL9-fwx46dTeuxFNsvgjqh5R7QTOsBLbm0dGf0b831JTZJc_xqmSrRvPQr1vjxuwz7JDFBZ5u3/s500/Photo%25252020160114215949378.jpg" id="blogsy-1452834244318.8513" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> So another pair of fingerless mitts! The pattern is Koigu wristers, super easy and fast to knit. I used the leftovers of my <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2013/07/finished-object-friday_26.html" target="_self" title="">starry night</a> sock yarn, but wanted to make sure it would go far enough so I contrasted it with white. Frankly I think it looks even better than one color would (although it led to way more ends to weave in!)</p><p>My coworker really loved them! So glad I made them.</p><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-90256866774338188692016-01-04T22:44:00.001-07:002016-01-04T22:44:53.618-07:00My Refinished File Cabinet <p> I recently obtained a new to me small file cabinet. I had one in the office/craft room already but it was really cheaply made and kept coming off its track so I was happy to take this one. But...it didn't match the furniture already in there, which is more of a birch wood color, along with a multicolored rug and lots of bright accessories. This was more of an oak, with gold finishes. Very 1980s looking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j2p7df1t7b4/VotYOhFQQOI/AAAAAAAABdY/omTFf4swuQg/s1604/Photo%25252020160104224420568.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j2p7df1t7b4/VotYOhFQQOI/AAAAAAAABdY/omTFf4swuQg/s500/Photo%25252020160104224420568.jpg" id="blogsy-1451972692179.306" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p>I decided to change it up a bit. I knew I wouldn't be able to match the wood finish exactly so I wanted to do something that would complement the existing furniture. I decided on a nice dark blue - E calls it Tardis blue, Krylon calls it Oxford Blue, with silver handles. </p><p>First I removed the handles, name plates and lock and painted them all with a silver gray acrylic paint. Then I gently sanded down the cabinet and drawers to remove the veneer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-106I_xdwF8U/VotYQifQIDI/AAAAAAAABdg/ysZW2AclfK0/s1993/Photo%25252020160104224420793.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-106I_xdwF8U/VotYQifQIDI/AAAAAAAABdg/ysZW2AclfK0/s500/Photo%25252020160104224420793.jpg" id="blogsy-1451972692245.792" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="378"></a></div><p>After it was sanded, I gave each component a couple of coats of spray paint.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u7y6KrrCOWY/VotYS5jcoZI/AAAAAAAABdo/1Q2E_lBM-zo/s2022/Photo%25252020160104224421006.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u7y6KrrCOWY/VotYS5jcoZI/AAAAAAAABdo/1Q2E_lBM-zo/s500/Photo%25252020160104224421006.jpg" id="blogsy-1451972692216.9656" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="374"></a></div><p>Voila! A new file cabinet. I'm so pleased with how it turned out. This room has totally become my happy place!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PMFCJAZQ6dY/VotYUgie-dI/AAAAAAAABdw/IzOUznqBoJA/s2048/Photo%25252020160104224421224.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PMFCJAZQ6dY/VotYUgie-dI/AAAAAAAABdw/IzOUznqBoJA/s500/Photo%25252020160104224421224.jpg" id="blogsy-1451972692259.3245" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-42023207115993140112016-01-01T20:53:00.001-07:002016-04-19T21:41:31.232-07:002015 recap and 2016 resolutions<p>2015 went by so fast! Like many years, it had its highs and a few big lows. Unfortunately nine weeks after losing my grandpa, my grandma passed away in January. I'm so grateful we got one more Christmas with her after losing my grandpa but it was so hard to lose them so close. </p><p>There were a lot of bright spots in the year though. In the spring we finally felt like it might be time to have a third dog again. We had been keeping an eye out at the Welfare League's website to see if it looked like any dogs would fit in with our current crew. While we were looking, we learned about a dog who needed a home from one of our family members. We agreed to meet her and it was love at first sight. Foxy joined our family - a two (now three) year old chihuahua-German shepherd mix. She is everyone's little love puppy and I couldn't imagine not having her here. </p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OGOcBEu-nRM/VodKxE5sZyI/AAAAAAAABcg/8aACwPlecJ0/s1774/Photo%25252020160101205748917.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OGOcBEu-nRM/VodKxE5sZyI/AAAAAAAABcg/8aACwPlecJ0/s500/Photo%25252020160101205748917.jpg" id="blogsy-1461127106613.5261" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I'm still chugging along in year two of my job and I got promoted this year! It's been such a great move for me, both in terms of my career and the amazing people I get to work with. J started Kindergarten; C is in third grade and tested into the gifted program!</div><p>We took a leap and bought an RV, which we took to San Diego for what is turning into an annual vacation for us. It was so great having a place to chill, with a kitchen to cook in instead of having to go out for every meal. The boys had a great time hanging with their cousins and riding around on bikes and hanging out at the beach. We took them to the San Diego Zoo for the first time too!</p><p>As in years past I also tried to keep up with a goal list, so on to the list:</p><ul style="padding-right: 2.5em; padding-left: 2.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; line-height: 1.4;"><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Blog three times a month - nope not even close. Things were so hectic and yet so ordinary that I didn't have a lot to say</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Make stockings by Christmas for each member of the family - 50% done. C and J both got to use theirs this year, but I still need to do E's and mine. </span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qz0DS7x1yqA/VodJp6lND9I/AAAAAAAABcY/nBRdfDey1z0/s2048/Photo%25252020160101205249318.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qz0DS7x1yqA/VodJp6lND9I/AAAAAAAABcY/nBRdfDey1z0/s500/Photo%25252020160101205249318.jpg" id="blogsy-1461127106637.8699" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><ul style="padding-right: 2.5em; padding-left: 2.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; line-height: 1.4;"><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Knit at least three pairs of socks - yep, in under the wire. I finished E's Christmas socks two days before Christmas. Funny enough two of the three pairs were for him this year. But he appreciates them so much.</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Make a shawl/stole - not quite. I'm about 2/3 done with a scarf/stole thing</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sew an item of clothing - yep. Made four bow ties for the kids in my sister's wedding to wear.</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Make bread - yes!!! After being on my list every year, I made some on Monday! So worth the effort - especially now that I have my kitchen aid</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Make caramels - nope</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Make truffles - nada </span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lose 10 pounds - not even close</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Read at least seven books - blasted through this. I read at least 11; I think it was more but that's all I wrote down</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Learn to play guitar - nope and I think this will end up waiting a few more years</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Learn a new cast on/cast off - no. Most of my knitting was types of things I know how to do.</span></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Finish office/craft room organization - Almost. I got a new desk that can change heights so I can use it for typing on the computer or sewing, then raise it up if I want to cut fabric. I also got a new (old) file cabinet from my grandparents house when we were cleaning it up. It's super functional and nicer than mine but very 1980s wood and gold finishes. Doesn't match the room. So I sanded it down and am repainting it "Oxford Blue" aka Tardis blue. The handles are painted silver. It's actually sitting in the garage waiting for the last coat of paint. Then my beautiful office/craft room is done!!</span></li></ul><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So four done, six not and three half done or more. Not too shabby. I wish I had done a little better but c'est la vie. Now onward to 2016. I'm guessing grad school will be a time suck so this is a short but hopefully reasonable list:</span></p><ul> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Get accepted into and start grad school</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Sew a skirt for myself</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Lose 10 pounds</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Finish the last two stockings</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Read 8 books (Honeymoon Suite - 4/12/16; Babyland - 4/15/16; Heart of the Matter - 4/19/16)</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Make truffles</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Blog 24 times</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Knit 2 pairs of socks</span></li></ul><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Happy 2016!</span></p><p> </p><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-35463753375051607302015-12-31T00:01:00.000-07:002016-01-02T01:35:26.005-07:00Christmas 2015<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ODISspGQy2w/VoeLyCv9KfI/AAAAAAAABdA/tfEcoc4uKoc/s2048/Photo%25252020160102013508806.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ODISspGQy2w/VoeLyCv9KfI/AAAAAAAABdA/tfEcoc4uKoc/s500/Photo%25252020160102013508806.jpg" id="blogsy-1451723724502.289" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a> </p><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-39337680682527320432015-10-03T22:07:00.001-07:002015-10-03T22:07:52.752-07:00Happenings <p>School started a couple of months ago here, so I am now officially the mom of two elementary students! (And goodbye daycare payments, woohoo!) What I'm wondering is when did I become old enough to have a third grader; I remember being a third grader.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jc5dkAgMwps/VhC0ERgL2OI/AAAAAAAABa4/4GR0etOt9mg/s2048/Photo%25252020151003220747575.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jc5dkAgMwps/VhC0ERgL2OI/AAAAAAAABa4/4GR0etOt9mg/s500/Photo%25252020151003220747575.jpg" id="blogsy-1443935298389.5444" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>Both boys are playing sports this year. J started a second season of soccer a few weeks ago, and after taking a couple year hiatus C had his first basketball practice this week.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ygNaspPDTx0/VhC0Gp0SSZI/AAAAAAAABbA/H8C0Fk2E4JI/s2048/Photo%25252020151003220747883.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ygNaspPDTx0/VhC0Gp0SSZI/AAAAAAAABbA/H8C0Fk2E4JI/s500/Photo%25252020151003220747883.jpg" id="blogsy-1443935298427.135" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>On the knitting front, I'm working on a second Christmas stocking. I've pretty much conceded that E's and mine won't be done before this Christmas but I want to make sure both boys have theirs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div><p>My scarf is slow going. Unfortunately I missed the deadline for the lace along I was participating in. It's pretty much become just my plane knitting since the stocking is too bulky to take. </p><p> </p><p>Speaking of plane knitting, I got to cross another state off my list as I had to go to Oregon last week. I've now hit 40% of the US. By the way Portland is beautiful!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uDWAC8-FRt0/VhC0JV-adPI/AAAAAAAABbI/I0njMkIwAd8/s2048/Photo%25252020151003220748172.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uDWAC8-FRt0/VhC0JV-adPI/AAAAAAAABbI/I0njMkIwAd8/s500/Photo%25252020151003220748172.jpg" id="blogsy-1443935298426.944" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I'm also applying grad school! I'm mildly terrified - I'll be 35 when I start and 37 (hopefully) when I finish. I finished my Bachelors 2 days before my 22nd birthday so we're talking 15 years between the two degrees. My kids think it's funny that mom will have homework like them. I'll also be working full time. Goodbye free time ...</div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-64861362565186306582015-08-09T10:40:00.001-07:002015-08-09T10:40:13.808-07:00A Finished Object<p> I finished the Christmas stocking I was working on. We took a week long vacation to San Diego, which gave me plenty of time to knit - we planned our vacation to have a lot of down time this year, not so go go go, which I think was great for everyone. By the time we pulled back in our driveway I only had to Kitchener the toe (I'm prone to car sickness so I couldn't look at my hands long enough while riding to finish it).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkWlnFN_N9bwsTuM_9IFSIM_ILs6mAfUDU5retZRHL_KTuefFrpjdBhWLeJ6VYoq8rUtqMr9r4W7KXA7Mm1vrlkrRngSXlLbR_iiAr1uKB4HaAVgKJVFLSl4nUfNc16Jm2KwTzCEgt1Kr/s2048/Photo%25252020150809103921537.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkWlnFN_N9bwsTuM_9IFSIM_ILs6mAfUDU5retZRHL_KTuefFrpjdBhWLeJ6VYoq8rUtqMr9r4W7KXA7Mm1vrlkrRngSXlLbR_iiAr1uKB4HaAVgKJVFLSl4nUfNc16Jm2KwTzCEgt1Kr/s500/Photo%25252020150809103921537.jpg" id="blogsy-1439142012059.5557" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> I absolutely love the way it turned out! But I wanted to try lining it so that nothing would catch on the floats if I stuffed it. While I am not an experienced sewer, lining this ended up being super easy. </p><p>I found an awesome snowflake fabric at Joann to coordinate with the knitted snowflake motif. Then I laid out my stocking on the fabric, tracing it and adding a half inch seam allowance. I cut it slightly shorter than the stocking (up to the red ridge).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ObgpxBuZjbA/VceQXfYaTCI/AAAAAAAABZs/C_9IJ8Avsmo/s2048/Photo%25252020150809103921726.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ObgpxBuZjbA/VceQXfYaTCI/AAAAAAAABZs/C_9IJ8Avsmo/s500/Photo%25252020150809103921726.jpg" id="blogsy-1439142012029.8896" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> I cut the first piece out, then used it to trace the second piece (turning it so I wouldn't have two front side pieces and no backside pieces.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_qK1AZBYL_M/VceQaDr_7wI/AAAAAAAABZ0/XvySNwXnKdw/s1874/Photo%25252020150809103921902.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_qK1AZBYL_M/VceQaDr_7wI/AAAAAAAABZ0/XvySNwXnKdw/s500/Photo%25252020150809103921902.jpg" id="blogsy-1439142012027.1746" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I wanted to have the right side of the fabric showing towards the inside of the stocking so I was careful to think through which way to sew it. Using my sewing machine I sewed so the right sides were facing each other, all around the stocking except for the top. Then I turned it right side out. I turned the stocking inside out and slid the lining over the inside out stocking. Once it was on the way I wanted it, I stitched the lining to the stocking using an overlock stitch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pYWTd3b9d58/VceQdAWBMiI/AAAAAAAABZ8/KYqIuSIRChM/s2048/Photo%25252020150809103922118.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pYWTd3b9d58/VceQdAWBMiI/AAAAAAAABZ8/KYqIuSIRChM/s500/Photo%25252020150809103922118.jpg" id="blogsy-1439142012001.4177" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">The great thing about this particular stocking pattern is there is basically a ridge that forms on the inside near the top, which was the perfect place to attach the lining. Once I finished attaching it I only had to flip the stocking right side out and voilà it was done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NWkmAL7EGAA/VceQemWICaI/AAAAAAAABaE/F4aJZE0pTSI/s1000/Photo%25252020150809103922212.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NWkmAL7EGAA/VceQemWICaI/AAAAAAAABaE/F4aJZE0pTSI/s500/Photo%25252020150809103922212.jpg" id="blogsy-1439142011998.9238" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-46269049826044309672015-07-17T21:50:00.001-07:002015-07-17T21:50:51.130-07:00Tutu Part two <p>A few years ago I <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2012/07/tutu-tutorial.html" target="_self" title="">made a tutu</a> for my niece's second birthday. Obviously she has outgrown that one but a few months ago she asked me to make her a new one. She wanted one like Angelina Ballerina's friend (I have boys who have no interest in the show so I have no idea what her name is). I followed the same pattern as before but obviously made it wider and longer. I varied the length slightly between 13-15 inches long (so I cut the strips between 27-29 inches) to give it a little bit of depth.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PYvHnEccJUM/VanbGTvPy9I/AAAAAAAABYs/osP-2wgoymw/s2048/Photo%25252020150717215021366.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PYvHnEccJUM/VanbGTvPy9I/AAAAAAAABYs/osP-2wgoymw/s500/Photo%25252020150717215021366.jpg" id="blogsy-1437195047913.9705" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> I forgot that the increased width and length would really add up. I went through just under four rolls of tulle! But what fun - I kind of want one for me!</p><p>I packaged it up with two books to create a nice little gift.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sK5-IdlJANw/VanbJU5hYWI/AAAAAAAABY0/gGVOuzWnzvo/s1937/Photo%25252020150717215021540.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sK5-IdlJANw/VanbJU5hYWI/AAAAAAAABY0/gGVOuzWnzvo/s500/Photo%25252020150717215021540.jpg" id="blogsy-1437195047910.697" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> Happy birthday to one of my favorite five year olds!</p><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-63810276134768511472015-06-30T23:43:00.001-07:002015-06-30T23:43:11.145-07:00Progress<p> I think I'm finally getting in the groove with my stocking and am really starting to make progress. In a week I've gone from this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UwafFDbNe6k/VZOL8Kg3xKI/AAAAAAAABYA/4Po3E_iU8eM/s2048/Photo%25252020150630234247496.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UwafFDbNe6k/VZOL8Kg3xKI/AAAAAAAABYA/4Po3E_iU8eM/s500/Photo%25252020150630234247496.jpg" id="blogsy-1435732989421.8245" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> To this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5YA9hWCx0_M/VZOL-mK-2kI/AAAAAAAABYI/ThqkDM-xnjc/s2048/Photo%25252020150630234247676.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5YA9hWCx0_M/VZOL-mK-2kI/AAAAAAAABYI/ThqkDM-xnjc/s500/Photo%25252020150630234247676.jpg" id="blogsy-1435732989397.4646" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> It helped to switch needles. I was using my Hiya Hiyas with five inch tips. They were just slightly too long and I felt like I had to force the yarn around because it was stretched so tight. I switched to a four inch tip and now it seems like it's going much more smoothly.</p><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-754718608478311942015-06-22T23:37:00.001-07:002015-06-22T23:37:06.741-07:00Update
<p> What a hectic month! So much happened with family and work. My sister got married! I'm so excited for her and my new BIL is a great guy. I was one of the bridesmaids and my boys were both in the wedding too. I finished the bow ties that I was working <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2015/05/bow-ties-are-cool.html" target="_self" title="" style="line-height: 1.3em;">on</a> for the little boys.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nTgnW1Pl7FM/VYj-KMoCVGI/AAAAAAAABWk/B0-31gNOPPM/s1950/Photo%25252020150622233509884.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nTgnW1Pl7FM/VYj-KMoCVGI/AAAAAAAABWk/B0-31gNOPPM/s500/Photo%25252020150622233509884.jpg" id="blogsy-1435041425228.6394" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><p>I'm so happy with the way they turned out.</p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cQcgX8tF7F0/VYj-NgLbKKI/AAAAAAAABWs/-ywVt4s3FKo/s1772/Photo%25252020150622233510071.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cQcgX8tF7F0/VYj-NgLbKKI/AAAAAAAABWs/-ywVt4s3FKo/s500/Photo%25252020150622233510071.jpg" id="blogsy-1435041425230.1846" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p>(Goofy kid modeling the tie at the wedding)</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Speaking of this goofy kid, he finished preschool!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SC960QuGTlY/VYj-QdOKERI/AAAAAAAABW0/wpilQkAdd2E/s1712/Photo%25252020150622233510243.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SC960QuGTlY/VYj-QdOKERI/AAAAAAAABW0/wpilQkAdd2E/s500/Photo%25252020150622233510243.jpg" id="blogsy-1435041425221.8542" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">And C finished second grade! It's hard to believe that I will have two in elementary school in the fall. They're growing up so fast - J was about 6 months old and C was younger than J is now when I started blogging.</div>
<p>We also adopted a new dog. It was sort of unplanned. We had been talking about getting another dog but hadn't made a firm decision or found one who fit with our family. Then my SIL told us about someone who needed to re home their dog. When we heard more about the dog we knew she would be a perfect fit for our family. So meet Foxy!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wGLvNNgT9gw/VYj-VHmBjpI/AAAAAAAABW8/_B5SLyT1sQ8/s1795/Photo%25252020150622233510450.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wGLvNNgT9gw/VYj-VHmBjpI/AAAAAAAABW8/_B5SLyT1sQ8/s500/Photo%25252020150622233510450.jpg" id="blogsy-1435041425187.0085" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> She's two and about 30 lbs. She loves our boys and gets along amazingly with our other two. I'm so glad she joined our household.</p>
<p>On top of all of that I also had to travel out of state twice for work in the last month. Not so bad but certainly kept me hopping with all of the other things going on too.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hwxPEnl538w/VYj-XDmL_NI/AAAAAAAABXE/BSHroApMBu0/s1000/Photo%25252020150622233510566.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hwxPEnl538w/VYj-XDmL_NI/AAAAAAAABXE/BSHroApMBu0/s500/Photo%25252020150622233510566.jpg" id="blogsy-1435041425223.7405" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">And of course where would I be without my knitting. I finished a set of washcloths for the bride; paired with some Bath and Bodyworks soap and voila I had a nice gift.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LS3LRrbJUiQ/VYj-bxpXx4I/AAAAAAAABXM/1rnEQ6vJrhg/s1964/Photo%25252020150622233510795.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LS3LRrbJUiQ/VYj-bxpXx4I/AAAAAAAABXM/1rnEQ6vJrhg/s500/Photo%25252020150622233510795.jpg" id="blogsy-1435041425194.4138" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Now I'm working on a couple of the projects on my resolution list. I've started the first Christmas stocking. I'm using some leftover acrylic worsted weight from my grandma and a size 7 needle. The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fionas-stocking" target="_self" title="">Fiona's stocking</a> and has a spot for customizing names on each one. I also was really drawn to the snowflake motif.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxej_wPdX6Djp9-6b1Z8FtcqCsOKvmQHR_AIhEbBGRY1If-6Z5T4Hs2cQI-wLjaBJtdLewvBExp0qVO5iXsKO_BIwxKc5i4k06yNTH4vrMSylslKUKpopy0yNNhzg2-CCaWEOWmNUgBKq/s2048/Photo%25252020150622233511048.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxej_wPdX6Djp9-6b1Z8FtcqCsOKvmQHR_AIhEbBGRY1If-6Z5T4Hs2cQI-wLjaBJtdLewvBExp0qVO5iXsKO_BIwxKc5i4k06yNTH4vrMSylslKUKpopy0yNNhzg2-CCaWEOWmNUgBKq/s500/Photo%25252020150622233511048.jpg" id="blogsy-1435041425228.2695" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I'm also working on a lacy scarf with a great merino silk blend. This tends to be my more portable project and one that I pick up when I don't feel like eating a chart. It's lace but only has two alternating pattern rows, with a row of purling between each one. The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/strangling-vine-lace-scarf" target="_self" title="">Strangling Vines</a> and it's perfect for anyone looking for an easy intro to lace. Bonus - one of the groups I belong to on Ravelry is having a lace along, so that is providing the momentum I need to finish it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vu5jYB7vG7w/VYj-j5k-d4I/AAAAAAAABXc/Jns6W5C5-6Q/s2048/Photo%25252020150622233511242.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vu5jYB7vG7w/VYj-j5k-d4I/AAAAAAAABXc/Jns6W5C5-6Q/s500/Photo%25252020150622233511242.jpg" id="blogsy-1435041425248.366" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-85509106177148347132015-05-17T00:01:00.000-07:002015-05-17T00:01:00.283-07:00Your time, your place
<p><em style="line-height: 1.3em;">When do I knit?</em></p>
<p>Normally my knitting time is at night, after my kids and hubby go to bed. I kick my feet up and try to take advantage of the hubbub of the day dying down in "my" spot on the couch. I also have a great knitting group that I meet with for an hour once a week to knit, compare projects and gab.</p>
<p>I also have a few other non-everyday times that I sneak a little extra knitting in. First, my new job requires a little more traveling than before. I'm a nervous flyer, so having my needles with me helps make the flight go a little smoother. I also make sure to set aside a few hours for knitting every year on my birthday (today, yay!) I go to Starbucks, drink my latte, and knit and just completely relax. </p>
<p><em>Where do I knit?</em></p>
<p>Well, as I alluded to before, my primary knitting spot is the couch, even though I sometimes knit in public too. But the space that I really consider my knitting place is our office/craft room. We still need a place for a computer and some books but I've turned the rest of the space into a home for all of my yarn (and fabric and paints and ribbon).</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wQo69rYXqAY/VUhU7EsFDOI/AAAAAAAABUs/ENYIwAkBWjo/s1000/Photo%25252020150504222809419.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wQo69rYXqAY/VUhU7EsFDOI/AAAAAAAABUs/ENYIwAkBWjo/s500/Photo%25252020150504222809419.jpg" id="blogsy-1431832890792.0276" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I love this space. It's so cozy and inviting! I've noticed even my kids hang out in here more since we made this a crafting space. I'm so lucky to have a space like this.</div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-23381458798528800322015-05-12T06:04:00.000-07:002015-05-12T06:04:00.505-07:00All About Me<p> So today's topic for Knitting and Crochet blog week is not about knitting per se but rather all about the blogger. So some things to know about me.</p><ol> <li>I have been married for almost 14 years</li> <li>I met my husband in high school. Yes our prom picture is hanging on the wall (next to our wedding picture)</li> <li>I have only sisters, no brothers</li> <li>However I have only sons, no daughters</li> <li>I love warm weather. I freeze in temperatures below 80 F. Lucky for me I live in Arizona</li> <li>My favorite color is green</li> <li>I have surprisingly little green yarn</li> <li>I love "chick lit" books. It's the reading equivalent of a brownie</li> <li>Someday I want to visit all fifty states. So far I've been to 19 of them</li> <li>If I could have any career I'd be a professional singer. Not really a practical idea, though, so I think I'll just stick to singing in the car</li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Part of the reason I learned to knit was to keep me busy after I finished college and no longer had mountains of homework</span></li> <li>I may have a slight sock yarn addiction</li> <li>I only wear socks a few months of the year (see the aforementioned living in AZ)</li> <li>I'm a novice sewer but I can see why people love it</li> <li>I like to make lists</li></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZOTAlRYQExE/VVGgwAH4Y3I/AAAAAAAABVw/9vTwT5KwHA8/s1000/Photo%25252020150511234204198.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZOTAlRYQExE/VVGgwAH4Y3I/AAAAAAAABVw/9vTwT5KwHA8/s500/Photo%25252020150511234204198.jpg" id="blogsy-1431412933309.57" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-30945429020040836352015-05-11T22:48:00.001-07:002015-05-11T22:48:10.247-07:00If I was yarn...<p> ...what would I be? </p><p>Today is the first day of the sixth annual Knit and Crochet blog week and the first topic is "If you were yarn, what would you be?" An interesting topic for sure. There are so many different types of yarn out there, each with their own purpose for knitting and/or crocheting. Cotton is great for washcloths but can really stretch as a garment unless blended with another yarn. Silk is soft and luxurious but very delicate and wouldn't be good for a child's stuffed animal. In way people are like this too. We all have such different personalities but each person has a purpose and place in this world.</p><p>Okay, enough philosophy. Onto me and what yarn I would consider myself to be. I thought about the properties yarn has and think I have an idea. I would consider myself 100% wool. Wool is versatile and can be used in so many projects. Wool can be stretched and molded into shape. It has great memory. But if you agitate it too much, it can felt, shrinking in on itself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qBxlP1yu0Fw/VVGUFluRrfI/AAAAAAAABVg/FNtCvzM6s6s/s640/Photo%25252020150511224802684.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qBxlP1yu0Fw/VVGUFluRrfI/AAAAAAAABVg/FNtCvzM6s6s/s500/Photo%25252020150511224802684.jpg" id="blogsy-1431409688886.4182" class="alignnone" width="500" height="361" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I am known for my memory. I am versatile and can participate in many projects and activities. Too much agitation can be hard on me. So wool-like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Want to see what other knitters think they are? Search 6kcbwday1!</div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-9452405252674091482015-05-03T10:54:00.001-07:002015-05-03T10:54:35.948-07:00Bow ties are Cool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">My sister is getting married next month and thought it would be cute for the little boys in the wedding (C, J, my nephew and BIL's nephew) to wear bow ties. Problem is she needs light pink ones. So far ever store we checked has black ones or plaid ones. Solution: sew them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">All the patterns I've seen seem very simple but I wanted to practice before I volunteered to make them. I found a great tutorial from <a href="http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/02/howtomakeaboysbowtie.html" target="_blank" title="">this</a> website. It basically amounts to folding a rectangle and sewing it, folding it and sewing it again, etc. Easy enough for this novice sewer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCZntls1BO4/VUZg2J1v5NI/AAAAAAAABUY/7CGX6Ht6lfc/s1728/Photo%25252020150503105425264.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCZntls1BO4/VUZg2J1v5NI/AAAAAAAABUY/7CGX6Ht6lfc/s500/Photo%25252020150503105425264.jpg" id="blogsy-1430675674578.681" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I used some fabric from Ikea that had somewhat abstract automobiles on it. It ended up looking like swirled fabric by the time I was done, but that's okay. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Now onto four pink ones (using satin, eek!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Bonus - I accomplished something on my <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2015/01/2014-recap-and-2015-resolutions.html" target="_self" title="">resolution</a> list, which was to sew something wearable.</div><p> </p><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-66130732824949447472015-04-05T20:41:00.001-07:002015-04-05T20:41:18.815-07:00Happy Easter!<p> He is Risen!</p><p>He is Risen Indeed!</p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-8898302926472687152015-04-02T00:05:00.001-07:002015-05-03T11:04:04.417-07:00On My Needles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5H2BciJv-HQ/VRzqOPr6cTI/AAAAAAAABTw/QVmTiabql_4/s2048/Photo%25252020150402000522333.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5H2BciJv-HQ/VRzqOPr6cTI/AAAAAAAABTw/QVmTiabql_4/s500/Photo%25252020150402000522333.jpg" id="blogsy-1430676155777.199" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>I can finally talk about what's been on my needles lately - birthday socks for my husband. He likes to cycle so I thought it would be fun to make him socks that match a couple of his riding jerseys. I found a great yarn through Yarns to Inspire on Etsy called Holidaze. I used my usual sock method - cuff down and heel flap - but I cast on 72 stitches instead of 64. I also did just five inches for the cuff because E doesn't like socks that are too tall. The pooling on this yarn is really cool, the picture doesn't do it justice.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbSdUQui9BynKhgy5egM-hCSCE_UyJ-h4CrhSI0UkX5mNR5wh1PpsrhUpAhO6AwLAWAdMc5SK-bUT-0HOy9pHsQdyn-uN8_E4ZZ-58jAZc1LRcEXPk9t0QzWCPFgokbRpKiK8D204fL0c/s1971/Photo%25252020150402000522511.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbSdUQui9BynKhgy5egM-hCSCE_UyJ-h4CrhSI0UkX5mNR5wh1PpsrhUpAhO6AwLAWAdMc5SK-bUT-0HOy9pHsQdyn-uN8_E4ZZ-58jAZc1LRcEXPk9t0QzWCPFgokbRpKiK8D204fL0c/s500/Photo%25252020150402000522511.jpg" id="blogsy-1430676155781.5535" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Unfortunately I only got one of the two socks done before E's birthday. I think I forgot to take into account how much bigger the sock is than mine, just by adding eight stitches to each row and a somewhat longer foot. Plus only being able to knit later at night when he was asleep. Oh well, at least I was able to give him one with an IOU for the other!<br></div><p> </p><p>Update - I finished them, just a couple weeks after his birthday. He liked them </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-79705868637530714752015-02-27T22:25:00.001-07:002015-02-27T22:25:25.286-07:00Another pair of socks<p>Recently I finished a new pair of socks. This pair was my "I need a small project; I want to work on something for me; I have nothing else to work on; my feet are cold" socks. In other words I picked them up and put them down repeatedly over the last six months until I really felt compelled to actually make an effort to finish them.</p><p>This pair has actually traveled farther than my other three pairs. I started them on a plane ride to Denver, when I didn't want to bring the boys' Christmas sweater projects with me because of the size it would have taken in my carryon and I was procrastinating on the washcloths I did for Christmas. Socks seemed like a good solution.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hkrn1DSDauqGlGS_thT3w4czo5tKfmg1ln8GkjAasC0hdE44hNnLcYzxD_PQP3_50Vctb8Y49vmGUIX9GAI7zVlAq0PkQ_MjKKJ9Niyey-1E7OI-99tDuqdlDZkHxnac4Nxhu8o4DSFU/s2048/Photo%25252020150227222512404.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hkrn1DSDauqGlGS_thT3w4czo5tKfmg1ln8GkjAasC0hdE44hNnLcYzxD_PQP3_50Vctb8Y49vmGUIX9GAI7zVlAq0PkQ_MjKKJ9Niyey-1E7OI-99tDuqdlDZkHxnac4Nxhu8o4DSFU/s500/Photo%25252020150227222512404.jpg" id="blogsy-1425101125867.9011" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">The yarn is Candy Skein's in the Blue Hawaiian colorway. This was the August 2013 color of the month. What a great yarn to knit with! The socks are super comfy and the colors just came alive before my eyes. It's amazing to see that the yarn started out as the yarn in the middle of this group.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_pK3Z5OcPM/VPFRQtCfM3I/AAAAAAAABS8/4UmBQ0wZqgg/s500/Photo%25252020150227222512474.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_pK3Z5OcPM/VPFRQtCfM3I/AAAAAAAABS8/4UmBQ0wZqgg/s500/Photo%25252020150227222512474.jpg" id="blogsy-1425101125808.7656" class="alignnone" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">The pattern was my usual top down, heel flap pattern that I like so much. And with that I'm one third of the way to my goal of making at least three pairs this <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2015_01_01_archive.html" target="_self" title="">year</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-24935039364511381822015-02-14T15:36:00.001-07:002015-02-14T15:36:05.173-07:00Happy Valentine's Day!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d8P_fxptH8s/VN_N0cDqP7I/AAAAAAAABSE/v8KWBwnphsE/s1382/Photo%25252020150214153558902.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d8P_fxptH8s/VN_N0cDqP7I/AAAAAAAABSE/v8KWBwnphsE/s500/Photo%25252020150214153558902.jpg" id="blogsy-1423953366577.583" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-7752576062700290622015-02-09T09:00:00.000-07:002015-02-09T09:00:01.814-07:00Totally turtle time<p>I knitted another Sheldon - we're having a baby shower for a coworker this week at work. She's having a girl so I thought it would be fun to use pink for the shell. Otherwise I did it pretty much the same as my last <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-turtle-is-done.html" target="_self" title="">Sheldon</a>. I did find the crocheting much easier than the last one but man, the icord border is still super tricky and time consuming. It looks great though so I think it's worth it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dBRB3Zkbuuk/VNUC0BC9iaI/AAAAAAAABRc/00nb-o7zD5A/s2048/Photo%25252020150206110705309.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dBRB3Zkbuuk/VNUC0BC9iaI/AAAAAAAABRc/00nb-o7zD5A/s500/Photo%25252020150206110705309.jpg" id="blogsy-1423246036163.2012" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I plan on pairing it with a book (probably <em>Fifteen Animals</em> by Sandra Boynton). A few of my coworkers and I are putting together a basket of stuff so these will go with some diapers, receiving blankets and the like. Should be cute when it's done!</div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-22535160228740354302015-02-06T11:17:00.001-07:002015-02-06T11:17:28.605-07:00Goodbye grandma<p> Yesterday my family had to say goodbye to a kind, beautiful, funny woman. My grandma passed away early last week and we had her memorial yesterday. So many great stories were shared and we all smiled and laughed at the memories. Goodbye Grandma, you will forever be in my heart.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOFZicbmz_YECZLbVH5xlYHAv0Rh8FbTRdmn6LNorBEAw3Dghidw6n4i4XjHMKMOZZFbxe8C8Y1O0TM5XFUh3rMQRj2LRy01vpoZF5VZxltqV8faQm4egLEGDs1goCwQwqm56MCALrDs0/s2048/Photo%25252020150206111717893.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOFZicbmz_YECZLbVH5xlYHAv0Rh8FbTRdmn6LNorBEAw3Dghidw6n4i4XjHMKMOZZFbxe8C8Y1O0TM5XFUh3rMQRj2LRy01vpoZF5VZxltqV8faQm4egLEGDs1goCwQwqm56MCALrDs0/s500/Photo%25252020150206111717893.jpg" id="blogsy-1423246648305.6" class="alignnone" width="500" height="670" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-71078594270987225792015-01-01T00:00:00.000-07:002016-01-01T19:50:54.496-07:002014 Recap and 2015 Resolutions
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2014 was an interesting year to say the least. Lots of changes and quite a few rough patches. Towards the beginning of the year I started a new job after twelve years at my old one. That was definitely one of the high points of the year - I'm very happy with the change I made. Unfortunately I lost my grandpa this year and we had to put down our (almost) 14 year old dog. J broke his arm, I dealt with a bad staph infection, and C had to have oral surgery to remove an extra tooth in his palate. I'm hoping 2015 is a healthier year.</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">C turned 7 this year. (I can't believe I have a second grader. I remember being a second grader!) J turned five. E and I celebrated our lucky number 13 anniversary. We were fortunate enough to vacation with E's family in <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2014/07/san-diego-vacation.html" target="_self" title="">San Diego</a> for a week this summer. The boys got to experience Legoland for the first time and we had lots of beach time. I also got to travel some for work this year, going to San Diego, Denver and Seattle. I've only been through Denver, not staying there (for example we ate at Casa Bonita on the way back from Iowa last summer) so it was nice to spend some time there, even if I was pretty busy. I did manage to find time one evening to have dinner with a friend too! Seattle was great too - again really busy but I'd never been there before. Very different than Arizona.</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were also hit with an epic <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2014/09/rainy-rainy-day.html" target="_self" title="">rainstorm</a> here. Our area went one of the longest times without rain but later in the year we had a 100 year storm come through. It literally flooded out most of the freeways. I'd never seen anything like it.</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And now onto my 2014 resolution <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2014/01/2013-recap-and-2014-resolutions.html" target="_self" title="">list</a>. Like most of the past few years, I got through 40% of my list. First the hits. </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 1.3em;">Read five books - yep, in fact I read at least seven. A couple of reasons, one I put more effort into it; two with the new job I was traveling more. More time in airports and on planes led to a lot more reading time.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 1.3em;">Organizing the pantry - I knocked this out early in the year and kept it more or less fixed the whole year.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 1.3em;">Make a crochet project - I made washcloths to go along with my homemade vanilla extract and one was crocheted. It <em>finally </em>seemed to click with me.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 1.3em;">Sew a needle holder - It was a little wonky - one piece was sewn in the wrong order so a seam shows on the outside. But it works wonderfully and I use it all the time.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 1.3em;">Frosting piping practice - Decorated my son's birthday cupcakes in a Minecraft theme.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 1.3em;">Blog at least three times a month - I'm going to fudge and say yes. Some months I didn't hit at least three times but I did get over 36 posts total for the year and wrote at least once every month.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And now the misses. Make bread, make truffles, make caramels. Nope, still on the baking bucket list. Although I have yeast in the pantry, ready to go... Learn to play guitar - never made it a priority. Learn entrelac, learn a new cast on or off - I really tried a new cast on, I just can't seem to wrap my head around it. Garden - I have such a black thumb! Lose 23 pounds - epic fail, I actually put a little weight back on.</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So the list for 2015 will have some repeats on it. But I've got a few new things too:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Blog three times a month (36 for the year)</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Make stockings by Christmas for each member of the family</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Knit at least three pairs of socks (<a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2015/02/another-pair-of-socks.html" target="_self" title="">2/27/15</a>, <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2015/04/on-my-needles.html" target="_self" title="">4/14/15</a>; 12/23/15)</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Make a shawl/stole</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Sew an item of clothing (<a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2015/05/bow-ties-are-cool.html" target="_self" title="">5/3/15</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Make bread</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Make caramels</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Make truffles</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Lose 10 pounds</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Read at least seven books (40 Love - 2/11/15; Sleeping Arrangements - 2/22/15; Baby Proof - 5/18/15; Fishbowl - 5/23/15; The Good Daughters - 6/181/15; Inside the O'Briens - 7/29/15; Funny Girl - 8/3/15; The Help - 9/18/15; Fall of Marigolds - 9/29/15; The One and Only - 10/29/15; Still Alice - 11/1/115; Shopaholic to the Rescue - 12/29/15)</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Learn to play guitar</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Learn a new cast on/cast off</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Finish office/craft room organization </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Hopefully I finish above 40% this year! Here's to a great 2015!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-11531177203102785992014-12-27T14:02:00.001-07:002014-12-27T14:02:02.573-07:00Loaded Peanut Butter Cookies<p> So for our cookie recipe <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmastime.html" target="_self" title="">contest</a> this year with my family I decided to make peanut butter chocolate chip pretzel cookies. That's a mouthful so I think I'm just going to call them Loaded Peanut Butter cookies. I was looking for a chewy cookie not a crunchy one and found this <a href="http://www.thenovicechefblog.com/2014/07/the-best-chewy-peanut-butter-cookies/" target="_self" title="">one</a> from the Novice Chef to use as my base.</p><p>One of the requirements for the contest was to use whiskey as an ingredient so I made a whiskey vanilla extract in place of one made with a vodka base. I also added pretzels and chocolate chips to the recipe. Good enough to for third place!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TyNMrsDOvzdTmlRtIMw_YfVO_zxqExGkI0xnCgDt-Sw0rQGYjNoYNyr_YnhmM3fuyZox0eNrB97Y4WnQwurwRb7me5__bgKdPRY_cd2dGbR5nWfvkhcgySvmPaXQBAoyKX2JdhXORY4m/s1798/Photo%25252020141227140146.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TyNMrsDOvzdTmlRtIMw_YfVO_zxqExGkI0xnCgDt-Sw0rQGYjNoYNyr_YnhmM3fuyZox0eNrB97Y4WnQwurwRb7me5__bgKdPRY_cd2dGbR5nWfvkhcgySvmPaXQBAoyKX2JdhXORY4m/s500/Photo%25252020141227140146.jpg" id="blogsy-1419714122604.1475" class="alignnone" width="500" height="666" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1/2 cup butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">3/4 cup brown sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1/4 cup sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1/2 cup peanut butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1 egg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1 tsp whiskey vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1 1/4 cup flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1 tsp baking soda</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1/2 tsp salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1 cup chocolate chips</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">1/2 cup pretzel sticks, broken into pieces</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Cream the butter, sugars and peanut butter until mixed. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix. Then add the flour, baking soda and salt. Once everything is fully combined, add in the chocolate chips and pretzels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Drop rounded tablespoons onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 11 minutes (I have a convection oven so I actually did 340 for 10 minutes)</div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-21640160378415884822014-12-26T18:49:00.001-07:002014-12-26T18:49:01.672-07:00Christmastime!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We had quite a busy December around here. Lots of activities and time with the family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We started out the month by participating in a parade. I haven't been in a parade since high school and my kids have never had this chance before. Lots of fun for us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aYc5YrlekMe_jX-wyCfUILhBqomOIeXVyZXlPRBBQuKR9jwESYsewkQBGYzLMkGr6adzEwtVNGhCkvWIN5H_-dEwZzWmBWc0mmFIPBUfdqJFmAAijKe6mV8tzqSK1qazG1XXf49TeIfY/s2048/Photo%25252020141226184722.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aYc5YrlekMe_jX-wyCfUILhBqomOIeXVyZXlPRBBQuKR9jwESYsewkQBGYzLMkGr6adzEwtVNGhCkvWIN5H_-dEwZzWmBWc0mmFIPBUfdqJFmAAijKe6mV8tzqSK1qazG1XXf49TeIfY/s500/Photo%25252020141226184722.jpg" id="blogsy-1419644940468.5598" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">That same night we participated in a fundraising walk for Phoenix Childrens Hospital (a cause near and dear to my heart). We walk along one of the major roads with (fake) candles until we get to the hospital and then hold the lights up so the kids stuck in the hospital at Christmastime can see. A few carols are sung and a short concert is held.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--_YUHTLzcBs/VJ4PvwconFI/AAAAAAAABO4/54G7Mn1U5VA/s2048/Photo%25252020141226184723.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--_YUHTLzcBs/VJ4PvwconFI/AAAAAAAABO4/54G7Mn1U5VA/s500/Photo%25252020141226184723.jpg" id="blogsy-1419644940431.9697" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Santa visited J's school this year</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fzONBh7jqHI/VJ4PyPr199I/AAAAAAAABPA/7tvt1f5qO_Y/s1864/Photo%25252020141226184723.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fzONBh7jqHI/VJ4PyPr199I/AAAAAAAABPA/7tvt1f5qO_Y/s500/Photo%25252020141226184723.jpg" id="blogsy-1419644940516.895" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> And we got a chance to go see some pretty lights. (J kept making faces instead of smiling for the picture.) The boys got to go to a petting zoo and have caramel apples while we were there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDjfRvurT4XX7hpXRTmfOGugFhkGPg-lYMuHrzITcG51gNH_U5ElT6kYUEEPRf7Xezujzev5cUvNxDNxxmuadE6B2voRBHajJgrYJUUCFxxhUHxEVT1Ip1LALoxrOUXDMyUiyIt6GxBr1/s2048/Photo%25252020141226184818.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDjfRvurT4XX7hpXRTmfOGugFhkGPg-lYMuHrzITcG51gNH_U5ElT6kYUEEPRf7Xezujzev5cUvNxDNxxmuadE6B2voRBHajJgrYJUUCFxxhUHxEVT1Ip1LALoxrOUXDMyUiyIt6GxBr1/s500/Photo%25252020141226184818.jpg" id="blogsy-1419644940436.3772" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> We also went to a carnival at my parents' church. In addition to some bouncies and games, they had a snow hill for sledding. This was my kiddos first time sledding (being Arizona kids). Yes, C is sledding in a tshirt and sandals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALf-AwH8AL8s20XNrOB54NKMiV1I5W5fpzoBjsR7mMR_QmQxS6sgoPTuyn1vSoaICLVD2IZYbovcYxeRqTSiJ3aNOPVvUCN7tdjs8UFThqs8y1sn7qXDhBhTcoidN7ITaUEhqanW_o20P/s2048/Photo%25252020141226184819.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALf-AwH8AL8s20XNrOB54NKMiV1I5W5fpzoBjsR7mMR_QmQxS6sgoPTuyn1vSoaICLVD2IZYbovcYxeRqTSiJ3aNOPVvUCN7tdjs8UFThqs8y1sn7qXDhBhTcoidN7ITaUEhqanW_o20P/s500/Photo%25252020141226184819.jpg" id="blogsy-1419644940516.4402" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> On Christmas Eve we went to church and then came home and put up Luminarias. Our whole neighborhood lines the streets with them - it's an amazing sight to see!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FzZwp-KO-W4/VJ4P-wkl-2I/AAAAAAAABPg/MrrU-Cu0rTk/s1625/Photo%25252020141226184819.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FzZwp-KO-W4/VJ4P-wkl-2I/AAAAAAAABPg/MrrU-Cu0rTk/s500/Photo%25252020141226184819.jpg" id="blogsy-1419644940471.813" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> I also <a href="http://sunnystreetaz.blogspot.com/2014/10/another-sweater.html" target="_self" title="">finished</a> the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ekcj0709/alec-2" target="_self" title="">boys</a> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ekcj0709/alec" target="_self" title="">sweaters</a> as part of of their Christmas gifts</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAwyEKgIYWLPS8m2r8qKVBa21kZKIyE_c-xhJbnaTe3MklNCFBrT4abTjhy7Hz6twk1iqL_fYhocp1hVAj9ZHBTLHWai8e_o64633AyhWtfUnzMdSgXt6ZEXzv4F4sfViJMdlnJ_Cr_gp/s1470/Photo%25252020141226184819.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAwyEKgIYWLPS8m2r8qKVBa21kZKIyE_c-xhJbnaTe3MklNCFBrT4abTjhy7Hz6twk1iqL_fYhocp1hVAj9ZHBTLHWai8e_o64633AyhWtfUnzMdSgXt6ZEXzv4F4sfViJMdlnJ_Cr_gp/s500/Photo%25252020141226184819.jpg" id="blogsy-1419644940499.0671" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">(Pattern is Alec in Cottonish. The one with the tan buttons is a size 5 and the one with the black buttons is size 7 but both have about an extra inch added to the length - I have tall kids)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V-m4d0nbcgw/VJ4QCZGAE7I/AAAAAAAABPw/i4Q8rwLk5h4/s1658/Photo%25252020141226184819.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V-m4d0nbcgw/VJ4QCZGAE7I/AAAAAAAABPw/i4Q8rwLk5h4/s500/Photo%25252020141226184819.jpg" id="blogsy-1419644940507.3296" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We had our annual food contest at my mom and dad's house on Christmas Eve. This year we had to make cookies. The twist was they had to include peanut butter and Seagrams whiskey. I only came in third but I was really happy how they turned out. We also had breakfast with the inlaws. I think everybody was really happy with their presents too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Merry Christmas!</div><p> </p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-25731849770650491252014-11-30T22:21:00.001-07:002014-11-30T22:21:24.988-07:00Christmas is Coming
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EYm9gx6PBXM/VHv60c9I09I/AAAAAAAABOc/8qergnngGgA/s1000/Photo%25252020141130222109.jpg" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EYm9gx6PBXM/VHv60c9I09I/AAAAAAAABOc/8qergnngGgA/s500/Photo%25252020141130222109.jpg" id="blogsy-1417411287092.5527" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">(Some of my faves!)</div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113646641410267627.post-18193868911726533942014-11-16T23:03:00.001-07:002014-11-16T23:03:59.846-07:00Busy days
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Man the weekend really goes fast when you're busy. I felt like I was constantly on the go. I did a little bit of Christmas shopping yesterday - in fact, aside from stocking stuffers and a book, I'm pretty much done shopping for my kids. I'm knitting sweaters for each of them but I'm not really counting that since I don't have to buy anything more for them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I also finally got around to hanging a few picture frames. It was fun to go through my photos and decide which to print and where to put them. I made liberal use of sticky notes in my planning (why yes I may be a wee bit compulsive.) They're slightly visible in the background of the last picture.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G9JExFFu_-4/VGmPafBZ_2I/AAAAAAAABNw/kCoEZf_syL4/s1863/Photo%25252020141116230148.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G9JExFFu_-4/VGmPafBZ_2I/AAAAAAAABNw/kCoEZf_syL4/s500/Photo%25252020141116230148.jpg" id="blogsy-1416204240617.4097" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NkwkzWjysRY/VGmPiqKNSiI/AAAAAAAABN4/DrGQ7BUZlyM/s2048/Photo%25252020141116230148.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NkwkzWjysRY/VGmPiqKNSiI/AAAAAAAABN4/DrGQ7BUZlyM/s500/Photo%25252020141116230148.jpg" id="blogsy-1416204240661.7075" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4gNxOcznnIm9V_oAMnHXn0Tze31ZGr-oYPXPwI0XUCphS4br-hZLixpFNgW7izMUJhQckP5B455dSiLjswhh_bj_JpXa6hF7-_mnzcI4ILiuY0LWsVFbC-q9jbNmwQBGimxWM4W3Ughf/s2048/Photo%25252020141116230148.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4gNxOcznnIm9V_oAMnHXn0Tze31ZGr-oYPXPwI0XUCphS4br-hZLixpFNgW7izMUJhQckP5B455dSiLjswhh_bj_JpXa6hF7-_mnzcI4ILiuY0LWsVFbC-q9jbNmwQBGimxWM4W3Ughf/s500/Photo%25252020141116230148.jpg" id="blogsy-1416204240602.1184" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 1.3em;">Plus I did some baking. My family is once again doing our Christmas Eve contest - this year we are doing cookies, but with a twist. We all wrote down an ingredient on a piece of paper and drew out two of them. We ended up with peanut butter and Seagrams (gee thanks to whoever suggested that). So I decided to make a few test batches this weekend to see if I could come up with a recipe that works. I have definitely found my recipe!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tdSFwvRDg5U/VGmPzBmVWlI/AAAAAAAABOI/qb-DKpAxcBo/s1798/Photo%25252020141116230148.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tdSFwvRDg5U/VGmPzBmVWlI/AAAAAAAABOI/qb-DKpAxcBo/s500/Photo%25252020141116230148.jpg" id="blogsy-1416204240686.673" class="alignnone" width="500" height="666" alt=""></a></div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181341905537310465noreply@blogger.com0