Thursday, May 31, 2007

Another Contest?

Well YES 'tis true! Not mine, but on Vanessa's Blog. Give her a visit and sign up to win something lovely! Also don't foget to hang out a while - scroll down to see her lovely Clapotis!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

200 And Counting...

It's blogpost 200! I've been trying to come up with something profound to say or reference, but since it's been over a week since my last post and I still have NOTHING I'm resorting to a contest!

That's right - FREE STUFF!!!!

Leave me a comment by end of day Saturday June 2 and on Sunday I'll draw a name for this:
Sock Monkey Tote
Sock Monkey Detail

That's right - another sock monkey sock tote!

Maybe now that the pressure is off I can come up with something reasonable to write about for the rest of the week.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Monday, May 21, 2007

Menu Plan Monday

I feel the need in my life lately for more order and less chaos. For a very long time I've felt scattered and like "control" was always just outside my grasp. I realize now that tiny little steps are the key.

Homeschool: We have a new program with day by day instructions and details broken down into the very very simplest to follow manner. I need this - now I can leave the WORK of homeschool up to the program suppliers and just enjoy the education part and enjoy my children while knowing they are not missing anything. PHEW! Stress relief in a notebook - it's good stuff.

Home: My friends know me - they know I spend time with the husband and kids and family and hobbies and pets and that leaves little time for housekeeping. Many customers at the yarn shop would ask me - "How do you do it all?" (esp if they knew I homeschooled the kids). I always replied - "Easy - I don't clean house." Laughs would be had by all, but truth is if we have clean laundry, reasonably clean bathrooms, and a meal to eat - it's a successful week. Now I have found yet another list and a fun website that help me with those baby steps I am capable of and things a brighter and shinier than they used to be. [In my defense, for almost year I had a housekeeper, but then there was a change of circumstance for her and she couldn't help me anymore - now I'll take care of it for a while so...]

Cooking: I LOVE to cook and I'm really good at it. My kitchen is not always "Dinner Friendly" see section "Home" above. Now my kitchen is "Dinner Friendly" more often than not so I can get back to cooking full meals and enjoying time with my family both in the kitchen and at the dinner table.

Considering both cooking and the Organizing Junkie website linked above I'm posting today for Menu Plan Monday (you guys will gently help hold me accountable right?).

This Week:
Monday - Salmon Croquettes, biscuits, green salad, fruit salad (Andrea you're NOT invited *grin*)
Tuesday - Summer Sausage and cabbage, fruit, brownies
Wednesday - Chili dogs, carrot sticks, apples, chips (Mommy's night out)
Thursday - Grilled Halibut, Roasted Corn, salad, peas
Friday - Chicken & Dressing Casserole, Green beans, glazed carrots, strawberry shortcake
Saturday - Make your own Pizza Night, Salad, Ice Cream Sundaes

We'll see how it goes. Thanks for your support guys - you have all helped me get through a very difficult year and I have so much fun talking to you. Truly - thank you!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Field Trip

Today we went to see a dear friend of ours at his place of work. J.J. - just happens to be a fireman. It was very cool and the kids were thrilled (they weren't the only ones). When my Daddy asked me what we were doing this weekend I told him we were going to the fire station to see J.J. & the trucks - Daddy says "Can I go?" I guess once a boy always a boy huh? We had a great time and it was so good to see J.J. again - it's been a while!

Here are some of todays photos:
Field Trip
JJ & Toby
Anna in the Engine
Toby Fights Fires
Casey in the Gear
What took us nearly 10 minutes to get Casey into J.J. & our firefighters do in less than 60 seconds - it's truly inpressive and all that gear is HEAVY!
Daddy & Toby

On the knitting front I've started a sweater over 4 times in the past 24 hours, but I think I've got it right now so... away I go - I'm not undoing it again dang it!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Love/Hate

I'm forming a love/hate relationship with my Mac Mini.

Pumpkin

I've been video editing episodes of Knitty Gritty that we pulled down from the hacked TiVo.

I HATE that it takes FOREVER on the Mac - granted I LOVE that it is relatively easy and the software came with the system (really LOVE the "Free"), but it truly takes FOREVER! It takes me 5 - 6 hours to capture, edit, process, and burn 3 episodes of the show. Casey can do it on the PC in about 15 minutes, but the software he has right now is freeware and it stinks up the quality so... Mac it is for now.

I HATE that there are things I cannot find and get to with the Mac menu structure. I come from a PC and programming background and am used to being able to access my core programming - not so with the Mac - it's designed NOT to crash/break, etc and therefore I'm locked out of all of those options. I do LOVE that it is easy to use and I know the kids can't mess it up when they are playing on it.

Mostly what I LOVE about my Mac Mini is that it is very small and VERY silent. In a house that is very loud, both with living and electronic noises - silent is ALWAYS welcome.

I think I'll edit more tomorrow - right now I'm tired of waiting!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Thursday, May 10, 2007

It Could've Been Worse...

Laurie,

I could have posted the chocolate dessert picture.....

Love You!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Excuse Me, Miss?

I think something landed on your head:

Landing
That's "Blogless Laurie" and boy am I ever going to pay for posting, but I couldn't (well didn't) resist.


Oh and here is Stephanie giving new meaning to the term "PIG HEADED!"

Pigheaded!

Wednesdays are supposed to be random right? Can't get any more random than that huh?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

UPDATE: "Beige Alert"

Scruffy Puppy Recovered. Again: Scruffy Puppy was indeed found deep under the couch at approximately 9:45 p.m. EDT. Thank you for your support.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

ATTENTION: "Beige Alert"

Has anyone seen this missing puppy? I'm sure she's around the house or in the car somewhere, but she has a hole and is losing beans fast. If she isn't found soon I fear the worst - a very upset little boy who misses his Scruffy Puppy.

She is 9 years old, about 10" long, and answers to the name "Scruffy Puppy"

Scruffy Puppy A

Scruffy Puppy B

If you have any information leading to the recovery of said puppy please inform me immediately!

Thank You!

"Beige Alert Out"

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Monday, May 07, 2007

Well It's About Time!!!

I'm FINALLY finished with the lilac afghan. It's been nearly 3 weeks since I started it and I am glad it's over. I still have a few ends to work in, but other than that - WOOHOO I'm done!

Now I get to work on my in-progress felted bag, Dana's Lacy Shrug and Today I have to quickly make a ribbon shawl for my MIL. The shawl is the most pressing as it's deadline is Sunday - I'll finish it no problem.

Pokey on the Afghan
My Pokey - taking the afghan for a test drive. The afghan pattern was from Donna Kooler's Colorful Afghans book. I used Caron Simply Soft (14 3-oz skeins) in color orchid. I made the pattern at 160 stitches instead of the 120 it called for.

On The King for Scale
Spread out on the king-sized bed for scale.

Edge Detail
Edge Detail

Hammy Anna
Hammy Anna! She jumps up onto the bed and said "Mommy take MY picture!" So I did!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Another Year...

Happy Birthday to Me! - Friday the 4th actually. It was pretty good - Lunch with my Dad and my kids, dinner here at home with the family, and pizza with Daddy & my brother tonight. Not too shabby - quiet, nice and no work - it WAS weird on Saturday, but good.

Oh and Casey got me this:

U2 I-Pod
That's a 30 gig U2 Video I-Pod and I love it! I love that it's red. My Honey is the greatest!

I'm almost ready to shoot FO pics of the purple afghan and of a shawl and a felted bag, hopefully all ready for photos tomorrow!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Friday, May 04, 2007

My New Favorite Thing...

NO! It's NOT the purple afghan (though I am ready to start the edging). It's my new basket from Lantern Moon. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it - don't you?


Pretty Basket

I got it at a really nice little shop in Macon (on the way to Tybee). The Shop is Creative Yarns. It is beautiful and the people are lovely.

BTW - don't know what's up with the website for Wild Fibre - I'll call her tomorrow and see if I can find out - then I'll post an update.

Thanks for your encouragement about the lilac afghan! Thanks to you guys I soldiered on and am now up to the edging. I would have finished this morning, but couldn't find a size J hook - so Casey stopped by HL and bought me one - I'll finish during Stargate - or as we call it at my house - "All New Hunky Daniel." Michael Shanks = YUM!

It's weird not to have to go to work in the morning, but it's also very nice not to have the obligation. I have a feeling it's going to be weird for quite some time!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Thursday, May 03, 2007

But I Don't Wanna!

Work on this purple blanket anymore that is.

Lilac Afghan In Progress

I am tired of it - infinity! Do you ever get to that point with a project - you are about 3 - 4 hours away from it being totally finished and all you can think about is something else ANYTHING else to work on? I keep truding along, but progress is slower than I want it to be. Another day or two and I'll be done. Truly - "I Don't Wanna!"

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Tybee

I visited Tybee Island this past weekend with several of my knitting girlfriends. We had a wonderful time laughing and shopping and playing games. I have pictures - and while they might not make too much sense to you - you'll have to trust me that FUN was had by all.

Tybee Island Girlfriends
Here we all are on the beach the last morning before we hit the road. It really was a perfect weekend weather wise - so beautiful.
back: AmyDe (me), Amy N, Katey, Stephanie, Heather
front: Sherrie, and blogless Laurie


Jennifer & Isabel
This is a photo of Jennifer and Isabel Harvey from Wild Fibre in Savannah, GA. LOVELY people and a lovely shop. Below is a project on display in their shop - it's gorgeous and it's a workshop - check out their website for more information.

Needle Felted Tree

Being The Wind A
This is us "being the wind" it can't really be explained and we've found that it's not funny to anyone but us - nonetheless - here we are outside the knit shop in Savannah. We received many strange looks - but we're OK with that!

There's much more adventure to post about, but it will keep.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe