A special gift

My mom tucked away a small package with the rest of the gifts. My boys handed it to me when all the gifts had been opened and it was the last one to be found after rummaging through the piles of gift wrap and bows. In it was this "Willow Tree" box. When I opened it; this little opal necklace was inside. Isn't it sweet? My mom gave this to me to wear for my senior picture almost 28 years ago, but it was just a loaner back then, now it's mine for keeps. I love it.

Shopping spree!

I was so blessed on Chistmas this year. Everyone knows how tough these economic times are. Things are tight in this household too. We followed a strict budget when we bought gifts; my husband and I even swore off gifts for each other, so imagine my surprise when I opened up a Macy's gift card and then opened up a card with $50 inside. My parents and in-laws are such sweeties. Tears ran unchecked down my face. I have not bought clothes or anything fun for myself in a long time, so here is fashion show:


I am going to wear to school with leggings:
This one to wear with black jeans and a belt:

This with jeans or a brown skirt and belt.

I haven't had anything new for a long time, I feel a little like a princess.

Kansas snow

I know the east coast has taken quite a hit, but so have we in the midwest! Flooding first and then a blizzard warning on Christmas.

Meri Krima! (Merry Christmas!)

Christmas morn!!! Me and my Snuggy!

I am still working away at my in-laws Jack Russell afghan and am excactly halfway done. keep your fingers crossed I can get it done in 2 weeks!

I also started a scarf froma pattern over at Ravelry to do when I still need a fiber fix but don't want to pull out the afghan.

Close up of stitches:

Snow is supposedly on the way! Chant with me! Snow Day! Snow Day!

Feliz Navidad!

Here is our Christmas tree this year. It went up so much faster, now that all the kids cn be so helpful. My lil guys loved going over every ornament and helping decorate.

Here are a few of my favs:
Hand-carved wooden Santa from a good friend over 15 years ago:

Button Santa from my sister's small town of Hesston, KS:

Resin santa from a friend about 20 years ago:



Hand-blown santa from an ornament exchange last year:


Sobrero santa froma student about 15 years ago:

Hi all and Happy Sunday! It is another true fall day here in the plains. Cool, drab, and gray, but at least no rain. The best thing about this week is not only the upcoming holiday(Thanksgiving) but only 2 days of school...woohooo!Here is the week in review:

Monday: Puerto Rican rice and habichuelas for dinner. I was in heaven. I even had enough to take to school for lunch the next day. Sabrosisimo!!!!

Saturday:I finished this scarf that I saw on Libby's blog and fell in love with stitch and yarn. She clued me in to where I could find both!!

I still love it. I added fringe and hope to debut it next week at school LOL.

Last night I was also inspired to try out a new recipe that has tweaked my curiosity. Have you ever seen those pumpkin rolls with cream cheese filling? Well, Walmart has them for $3.50 a piece. I found the recipe on the back of a can of Libby's pumpkin can.

Tah-Dah:

It taste as good as it looks and pretty simple too. Maybe 20 min of prep?

Last but not least, I am still working on my Crochet by Numbers afghan for my in-laws. I have frogged it twice, because it has to be perfect. I am about a third of the way done, soon I'll have a pic of progress.

I am thankful for my blogging buddies and have Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you are where you want to be and who you want to be with on turkey day. I will be with my kids.....ahhhhhh!

The wedding afghan....Brett and Nicole 12/12/09

Well here it is, the wedding afgahn for my nephew and his bride-to-be. I hope its something they can use and enjoy. It fits a twin size bed, so it could be thrown over the foot of a bed or a rocker.
Close up of border and stitch:

Autumn morn....baking, yum!

My blog buddy Crafty Christina had this tasty breakfast treat posted from here. So its turned out to be a true Fall day here in kansas, gray and blustery, I decided to do some baking to warm things up bit. So far so good...I'll let you know how it comes out.
Before:

Happy Saturday everyone!

After:

Some of this and that.......

Hi everybody! as you know my hook is never still, but the fingers at my key board have been idle. I always forget how busy autumn is; school, grades, parent/teacher conferences, Halloween, Thanksgiving, X-Mas, Brett' wedding(nephew). Whew! It's a wonder I'm getting time tonite!

Here is the hat and scarf I sent to a buddy at the "ville in a swap over there.

Just my own Half-Dc scarf pattern with curly "Q" finge and the hat is from Crochet Today last year.

Here is what I recieved from my partner:

A beautifun scarf9gotta find out the pattern!!), the leftover yarn(yippee!), a Crochet World mag. from 1990(so cooool), a chocolate bar, a crocheted bookmark and 2 more project books from Red Heart. Thanks suellen!

Project updates.......

Here is Brett and Nicole's wedding afghan. It's a 5 row repeat. It moves along fairly quickly. I do it when I need a break from following my Crochet by Numbers pattern. Here is my Crochet by Numbers pattern. It is going to be an afghan of my in-laws Jack Russell terrier.

Here is the first 12 rows so far.

H1N1 is here!!!!

Look at this poor lil guy. I think H1N1 has hit our house, so far DH, Devin, and now Trenton all have flu-like symptoms. They all started with a low-grade temp. that spikes in a day or two, cold -symptoms, and aches and pains. They are all pretty miserable. Keep your fingers crossed that I come out unscathed. I've got people coming from the Kansas State Dept. of Education to observe me on Monday in class because they want to see an immersion program in action. Whew, I'll be glad when that's over!!!

NASCAR News

This is a revelation to my blog followers out there, not only to I crochet, knit, and craft, but....Hello, my name is Caroline and I am addicted to NASCAR. I know all the drivers, I can tell you who is on the pole, and how many laps the race is. Now with that out of the way, I can tell you we scored tickets to the race when it was here last weekend. It was a dream come true. Some kind soul who was going to be unable to go, gave us 4 tickets for the entire weekend. Halleluiah! Below are the pics that tell the tale of the great time that was had by all:

The start!

Listening to the band "Kansas" before the race(Ironic, huh?) They were awesome. Carry on my wayward son......

By the garages.

Devin and Trenton signing the start/finish line. I did too, of course!!!

All of us in heaven, on the track before the big race.

Quiet Blog=Busy Hooks!

I know I've taken a short hiatus, but that doesn't mean my hook has! I have had crochet ADD lately. I want to sample a lot of projects, but none of them has quenched my thirst for crafting. So I will keep searching.

This is an afghan square I tried. It has a really cute flower in the middle. It cam out of an old Crochet Today magazine...maybe last spring?


My nephew is getting married in December and I started their gift. It's called "Wedding Afghan" and its in the fall issue of Crochet World. It's moving fast and I really think it'll be pretty. I was thinking white would go anywhere; thrown over a chair or corner of a bed.
Here is the pattern for the wedding afghan and the other is the pattern I sent off to Todd Paschall(Crochet by Numbers).
It is going to be for my in-laws, who are soooo hard to buy for and would much rather(or so they tell me...LOL) have something made by me. They are also crazy over their little dog, so I thought....why not? Wish me luck!!!! Below is the training pattern that you can get at Todd's website, so I finished my training and I should be ready to go. I'll buy yarn this weekend.
Miscellaneous Halloween ami ahead......(I told you I was a plethora......)
I packaged these ami's up for gifts.

Here's hoping your hooks are never still.......

Candy Corn Ami-part deux

For those of you who have followed me for any length of time, you have seen these little guys before. They are not only my favorite Halloween treat, but they are one of my all time favorite ami's to whip up. I love giving these guys away, 0 calories, no fat, and lots of love!

Here are some of the lil buggers pre-stuffing!


Here is a bulletin board I created for outside of my clase. Notice Sponge Bob is bilingual; shouting "Me gusta espanol!" LOL

I spoke to my K-Stater the other day and he is doing me proud. His first majoe project is due Sunday and he says he is ready.

P.S. DH and I saw "The Informant" starring Matt Damon. It was a bewildering, strange, true story; very enjoyable!

P.S.S The margaritas at T.G.I. Fridays were especially good too! LOL

This week in fiber.....

DH and I got date night last night(Many thanks to MIL) and we went and saw "Whiteout". It was ok, but it was just nice to be out with my BFFF and hubby. This morning Trenton and I were up early to head to ball practice. I actually enjoying going out and sitting at his practicies. The temp. and sun are just perfect that early. I also sneaked some crochet time in. This is what I'm currently working on. It's the triangular scarf pattern form the latest issue of Crochet Today. I'm am using Bernat's satin sport even tho the pattern called for a cotton thread. I like the sheen I'm getting off this yarn aon this project.
I finished my Drop Stitch scarf from Ravalry. Since this was my LYS yarn and 100% wool, I did have to block it. I am very pleased with how this came out and plan on wearing it as soon as the weather turns a tad bit cooler.

I ate my tomatoe(the thing I've ever grown and eaten!!!) It was delicious. I've got 5 more on the vine, let's hope they turn before the first frost. LOL

Hello world!!!!!!

I know I've been MIA big time, but sometimes life gets in the way and it just can't be helped. We've just finished up our 3rd week of school here already and Labor Day for us, in this houshold; is truly a cherished day of rest and replenishment.

My 18 year old Austen appears to be survivng the first few weeks of university life. He has made it to all his classes and seems to be getting the hng of being on his own. I posted a pic of me presenting him with his afghan on my last post. He was thrilled with it. I got a picture of their dorm room and it was draped over a chair in plain view. High praise from a teenager!!! The cutest remark about it came from his roomate who exclaimed in disbelief; "You made that? From nothing?" We all had a good chuckle and I then explained to him how I did it. Austen is used to seeing me create things, but his roomate had never seen a homemade item.
Skylar and Austen

I haven't really tackled any big projects lately. I've been planning a few, day-dreaming about a few, but nothing has got my up on my hooks and needles yet.

I noticed Christina's post about her tomatoes and here's a pic of mine. Our plant has been battered, bruised, and almost died when it was a wee one, but here it is with 6 tomatoes in the wings. I hope they can get ripe before the first frost. LOL


I did treat myself to 2 skeins of LYS yarn. We have a shop near here that's not great, but it'll do when I need a fix of the "good stuff". It's a wool with a speckles of color through it. Here is the scarf I'm making from it. I got the pattern over at Ravalry, its called Drop Stitch scarf.

DH and I went and saw Julie&Julia last night. I was in heaven. Such a great escapist movie. Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci just transport you to another time and place. 5 stars from me!!!

Hello to all and it's good to be back!!