A Raffle For Dylan

Peace Soup blog is having a raffle for Dylan when you donate please leave a comment with your donation that you came from my blog.
Then come back here and leave a comment on this post that you donated this will get you an entry into the drawing for the heart bracelet and yarn needle.

There will be 2 names drawn one will win a sterling silver heart bracelet the other winner will receive a sterling silver and bronze yarn needle.

Together we can give this little boy who has lost so much a great birthday and a good start to his future.So head on over to Peace Soup and Donate:)

Deadline is Febuary 7th 2009
I will pick the 2 winners on Valentines Day

Friday Fill Ins

Now that I have gotten your attention with the sparkly lights;)...here we go!




1. I'd really like_____ A Starbucks _____ right now.

2. _____Mother What Rrrrr_____ is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.Which is better than saying the alternative word;)

3. Possession is_____ nine tenths of the law right? _____.

4._____ Can you say Drool Worthy;) _____ Captain Jack Sparrow.

5. Marshmallows and fire go together like _____ Chocolate and Graham Crackers _____.

6._____ Phone solicitors _____go on and on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to_____ Getting more cleaning done and going to work _____, tomorrow my plans include_____ Taking some time to knit on my cocoa swap pals Blah Buster Buddy;) then going to work _____ and Sunday, I want to _____ prepare for surgery by buying a weeks worth of grocery's for my family and going over the presurgery instructions list and shave my legs;) wouldnt want so many total strangers to see my legs unshaved it would be to pre historic!lol _____

Zuma Giveaway!

Hip Mountain Mama is having a giveaway.
From now until February 27th you will have a chance to be entered into a drawing for Namaste's newest bag, The Zuma!
There are 3 ways to enter so head on over and let her know I sent you;)

Deadline:Friday February 27th at midnight.

Preparing For Surgery

Since last month I have been going to UCLA and also Lancaster and the clinic on base getting all my pre-op tests done to prepare for surgery.
My surgery date is February 2nd, a week away.
Since we haven't any family here my hubby is taking February 2nd-15th off to care for me and our 2 little girls.
The day of my surgery a friend will be taking me to UCLA for surgery so that Tom can stay home and take care of Alora and Athena.
I have arranged for my job to be covered during this time.
My husband's commander's wife kindly offered to arrange a meal to be dropped off every night to help lighten hubbie's load during the first week.
As a wife and mom Iam use to taking care of everyone so this is going to be hard on me not being able to.
Tom said anyone who would like to can write him at watts_tom74[AT]hotmail[DOT]com for my full name and address if they would like to send me cards or letters telling me what you are working on or about your family and pictures as I would love that
and or updates on how Iam doing after surgery.
P.S. If anyone is going to Stitches please send pictures and tell me all about it as I wont be able to go and would love to live vicariously through those who get to;)
I will still blog right up until February 1st but after that my blog will be quiet.
Prayers for a successful surgery and quick healing time with no infections would be greatly appreciated:)Hugs Darcy

Hot Cocoa Swappin 2 Weekly Topic #3

Today’s topic will get me an additional entry into the weekly topic drawing for the swap Iam in Hot Cocoa Swappin 2 Weekly Topic #3

Marshmallows/Whipped Cream - The big debate.

How do you prefer to top your cocoa? Marshmallows If you like marshmallows, do they need to be the big ones, little ones, homemade, gourmet, flavored? Little ones and Gourmet or flavored would be fun:)

~Material Whirled 2009 Yarn Giveaway ~

Material Whirled is having a contest each month in 2009 where she's giving away one of her handspun art yarns.
Reenie's yarns are handspun works of whimsy and wonder.
This month, the prize is an amazing Valentine's Day-themed yarn called "Be Mine," which has pink, cream, and red merino with bits of lace and heart beads and also comes with a free pattern.
To enter, simply post a comment on the contest post with your favorite quote.

Deadline: January 31, 2009

~Valentine banner Give-A-Way~

If you'd like a chance to win the above Valentine banner
please go leave a comment on this post.
On Sunday January 25 Isabellas Closet will pick a winner.
post about it to your blog & let her know
you'll then get another chance at winning..
Please leave a way she can get in touch with you
if you are the winner in your comment.

While Tangerine Dreams Giveaway

While Tangerine Dreams is giving away an incredible handmade felt poncho in a comments contest.

To enter, leave a comment on her contest post. And if you blog about the contest, she'll throw in a skein of Manos yarn in a gorgeous teal.

Deadline: January 26, 2009, 7 am

Friday Fill-Ins

Oh, I am so____Looking forward to Valentines Day it is our 5th Wedding Anniversary____!

2. ____I dont like____ changes, big and little.

3. While watching television____, I cuddle with my hubby___.

4.____I just cleaned the house and the toddlers trashed it ____ ; are you kidding me???

5. Right now I'd like to be____Sitting at a yarn shop knitting___.

6. ____My Cable Needle Necklace___ is my favorite gadget.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to____Getting ready for tomorrow____, tomorrow my plans include____ Knitting with friends____ and Sunday, I want to____Do my laundry____!

Who Is The Cutie Puppies;)

Iam knitting at a yarn shop and someone says check out that skein of yarn in the basket I look and it is a dog she is a Mi-Ki her name is abra and she likes to nap in baskets full of yarn.The beige dog josie likes to play and is very fond of my starbucks lemonloaf you just wanted to scoop them up and take them home with you but Bonnie their mommy might have something to say about that;)

Italian Biscotti Recipe Tom And Alora Made:)

This recipe my hubby and daughter made this weekend very yummy definitely recommend baking a batch up:)


Italian Biscotti Recipe

40 min | 5 min prep

SERVES 7

3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons anise seeds
3 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup chopped almonds (can substitute with Walnuts)
Cream butter, sugar and 1 tablespoon anise seed.
Add eggs and vanilla.
Combine flour, baking powder and 1 tablespoon Anise seed.
Add to cream mixture.
Add nuts, mix in, and form dough into 2 or 3 long thin rolls.
Place rolls on a ungreased baking pan or cookie sheet and bake cookie rolls at 350 degrees 15-20 minutes , or till light brown.
Remove from oven and cut diagonally into 1/2-3/4 inch slices.
Put back in oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or till Biscotti is lightly toasted.
You want the biscoti to dry slightly.
It will look somewhat like a elongated piece of french bread, except smaller.

Hot Cocoa Swappin 2 Weekly Topic #2

Homework for this week for
Hot Cocoa Swappin 2
Iam sharing how I would make my own hot cocoa at home:)

Caramel Swirl Hot Chocolate

5 cups water
5 (3 ounce) bars milk chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup plus 1 cup chilled whipping cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
3 tablespoons prepared caramel sauce

Bring 5 cups water and chocolate to simmer in medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve chocolate. Mix in 1/4 cup cream. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer, stirring frequently, before continuing.)

Whip 1 cup cream and powdered sugar in medium bowl until peaks form. Drizzle caramel over and swirl together, forming streaks (do not over-mix).

Divide hot chocolate among 6 mugs. Top with generous amount of caramel whipped cream and serve.

Makes 6 servings.

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!


1. Enough with the _____being ill_____.

2._____So many projects I want to knit but not enough time _____ causes me to be conflicted.

3. I've been craving _____Sleep _____.

4._____Cass of Shut Up Iam Counting _____ makes me laugh.

5. _____I wish I could go to A yarn shop to just sit and knit instead of UCLA for a MRI and Ebowel _____ next week.

6._____ Alison of SpinDyeKnit_____ has been on my mind lately.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to_____going to bed and getting some much needed sleep _____, tomorrow my plans include_____caring for our sick 2 year old daughter Athena and cleaning and laundry _____ and Sunday, I want to_____knit on my cocoa swap pals gifts if hubby will take care of the girls for a couple hours so that I can have a knit break:) _____!

Elevenses Has A Literature-Themed Contest

Elevenses has a literature-themed comments contest. The prize is an awesome package that includes:

1 copy of Son of Stitch and Bitch

1 copy of Haruki Murakami

1 copy of Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos

a set of stitch markers from Crimson Orchid

AND - a Yarnissima kit - Fratello, with the exclusive Fratello colourway by the Wollmeise herself!
plus - a few more little extras...
.

To enter, leave a comment on the contest post that says a little something about your favorite literary character. Bonus entries for posting about the contest on your own blog and referring readers her way so please let her know I sent you:)

Deadline: January 31, 2008

Hot Cocoa Swappin 2 Week #1 Scavenger Hunt

This is My homework for the swap I'am in right now hot cocoa swappin 2
By doing this I get my name put in a drawing for some yummy prizes every week i participate during this swap.

1. Who wants to try plant fibers? Emily

2. Who wants to learn to crochet? Michelle

3.Who collects yarn? Emily, Michelle, Sarah, Ruth, Penny, Chelle, Holly, Mary Lynn,
Kate, and Jenn.

4. Who loves yellow? Alicia

5. Who doesn’t like fruit flavors? Jenn

6. Who loves Malabrigo (who doesn’t??? hahaha) ? Alicia and Ruth

7. Who has one mitt to go to finish her Endpaper Mitts? Elizabeth

8. Who’s favorite animal is a dog? Alicia, Chan, Michelle,Jenn, Mary Lynn, Holly,and Chelle

9. Who likes to paint? Kathy

10. Who has too many stitch markers? Chan, Chelle, and Ariel


11. Who likes Bailey’s in their cocoa? Chan, Jenn, Sarah,and Becca

12. Who likes Starbucks salted caramel cocoa? I do and so does Holly:)

13. Who can’t stand vanilla flavored cocoa? Chan

14. Who’s favorite animal is a hedgehog? Ariel

15. Who might stab themselves over Neon Yarn? Laurie This one was funny;)

16. Who’s oldest UFO is at least 15 years old? Kate

17. Who likes crystallized ginger? Chelle

18. Who likes whipped cream in their cocoa? Elizabeth, Ruth, Monica, Michelle, Mary Lynn, Penny, Alicia, Laurie, Kate, Rachel


19. Who likes marshmallow fluff in their cocoa? Becca

20. Who needs stitch holders? Holly

Some Lovely Surprises I Received From Our Mailman

Leslie as a surprise for Christmas got me a customs with Karen of karatstix her stuff is just amazing.I love The deluxe knitters rule and stitch markers.Thankyou Leslie:)
I also received a skein of Wollmeise/Versuchskaninchen 1 from Carrie.
KathyB sent me a skein of Dream in color smooshy in lipstick lava.
I want to thankyou all for the lovely gifts:) and if anyone has ideas on what to knit with the yarn I would love your ideas just let me know.Hugs Darcy

My Hand Dyed Urchin

I had a skein left over after knitting the urchin.
I dyed both the urchin and skein of thick n thin handspun with Wilton's icing gel.
I used orange,brown,and green.There is a great tutorial on how to do this at Keep On Knitting In The Free World blog.

Cocoa Swappin 2 Questionnaire

In My side Bar there is a button Hot Cocoa Swappin 2
it will take you to the swap just click on it:) also here is a link as well:)
Questionnaire
The Yarn…

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? Mostly knit

2. What is your favorite one-skein project? Mitts looking at the pattern Toast
What item do you find you knit the most of? Hats but would like to knit more fingerless mitts.

3. Do you like using a particular type of needle or hook? (wood, metal, straight, circular) Is there something you’ve been wanting to try, or a particular size you always seem to be short on?I have been wanting to try knitpick Harmonys in circulars cord 32" or dpn's sizes I need 9,10

4. What’s on your needles\hook right now? Lizard ridge blanket on needles right now. What’s your oldest UFO (unfinished object)? A Pair of socks

5. What are your favorite types of yarns? soft yarns. Are you allergic to any yarns, or just hate working with something? certain acrylics feel creepy on my hands. Anything type/brand of yarn you’ve been dying to try? Would love to try some aran cashmere from The Plucky Knitter

6. Are you on Ravelry? knottyknitter40

7. What are your favorite colors? ginger/cinnamon/bluegreen/dark greens
Brights?red/turquoise
Pastels?robin egg blue More muted colors? no Variegated? interested right now in semi-solid or solids.
Are there any that make you want to stab yourself in the eye with your needles? yellow,grey,some primary colors

8. What is your favorite knit accessory, My 6 compartment travel case it has all these little compartments to keep everything in and fits in the palm of your hand but carries folded scissors, tapestry needles, sticky arrows, point protectors,and stitch markers. your fancy needles? dont have any yet stitch markers? I like the clip on markers and the little circle ones. your yarn cutter? My hubby got me one for Christmas What do you have TOO many of?Tape Measurers What do you wish you had?The rectangular needle guage necklace or more sticky arrows and point protectors.

The Chocolate

1. Do you prefer boxed/packets, or something homemade? I'm Easy:)

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream? I'm Easy:)
3. Do you use any ‘add ins’international delight chocolate mint truffle

4. Are you a year round cocoa drinker or just in the winter months? Winter

5. Do you like flavored cocoas or are you just a ’straight chocolate’ kind of person? I like peppermint mocha.

6. Do you enjoy cocoa from restaurants or shops like Starbucks? yes What are some of your favorites? Mocha and salted caramel

7. You’ve just made the perfect cup of cocoa - is it in a thick mug, or a thinner cup? Insulated travel mug Iam a spiller.lol Where would you sit to drink it?
A fluffy couch or chair.

8. You’re enjoying that perfect cup, what treats will you enjoy with it? Are they sweet or salty? Crunchy? Soft and flaky? Soft and flaky

It’s all YOU!
1. Do you have other hobbies like spinning or scrapbooking? No but I love handspun yarn:)2. Do you collect anything? Sheep

3. What is your favorite part of Winter? The crisp air and an excuse to knit warm items:)

4. What sort of scents do you enjoy? Gardenia Any difference in what you like for your house versus what you like for your body? Orange Citrus

5. Are you allergic to anything? dairy but can take lactose pills tend to drink lactose free milk and soymilk.

6. Are you on Ravelry? What’s your ID? knottyknitter40

7. How would you spend an ideal winter afternoon/day? knitting under a blanket on the couch.lol I mean covered up with a blanket on the couch while knitting;)
8. What’s your favorite animal? Cats and Sheep

My Urchin Hat Finished:)

Since I was done with my knitting for 2008
I picked up my Urchin and finished it.
I had received my first handspun thick n thin yarn from Mandy of sewspun check out her etsy shop.
I love alot of ysolda's patterns especially this one.
I highly recommend knitting this pattern.
I used this video for grafting my urchin.
Here is my daughter Merecedes and styrofoam Stella modeling my hat.

Winners Of the knit Two Tote Bags:)

Congratulations to Evergreenknits
Georgi
Victoria Barton
Ladybuglola
All of the tote bags were sent out to the winners at 2:30pm January 2nd 2009 and should arrive by Tuesday:)Hugs Darcy

I want to wish all my friends
Happy New Year and thankyou so much for being apart of my day to day life you have all made a difference in who Iam you each have touched my life:) .

Christmas 2008 Knitting Finished Just In Time:)

I had set a deadline for myself for finishing Christmas presents and charity knitting for December 31 2008. I realized in order to get all of the knitting done in time I needed to enlist the help of my knitting hubby.
I finished knitting the last hat for Kathy's Warm Hat For Charity Drive at 6pm on December 31st 2008.
Below Stella my Styrofoam head is modeling it.(If you would like to purchase this Simple Slip Stitch Pattern Just Email Karen the designer at creativepursuits@gmail.com)



Our 4 year old Alora was happy to model the 2 toddler hats hubby knit for the warm hat drive.
I will send off all 6 hats January 2nd 2009 to Kathy










Both Hubby and I knitted a wine tote for Christmas gifts for Momma Rhonda And brother Joe & Wife Shannon. I felted them and then had name tags made for them they are ready to send off as well.