Beats Therapy

Knitting and what not

2010-07-20T10:16:00.005-04:00

So what have I been knitting? I seem to be getting very good at finishing small projects... those small shawls, mitts, and what not, seem to fly off the needles. I think that I have finished more projects in the past month than I did all year.

Scroll Lace twice, Damson, Liesl, Ishbel.... hmmm seems like I have been knitting Ysolda... well, what ever works!

I was going to coach again... now I am not. Why? Good question, but not one that I am prepared to talk about, so let's just say stuff happens. This is the first time that I can honestly say that I know I will coach again, someday. I'm a little depressed, because this was a great opportunity. Hopefully it will come again some day.

How I am spending my summer vacation

2010-07-14T10:50:00.005-04:00

I’m going to be doing what???

Do you see this woman:

She looks harmless doesn't she.... Mom always said to watch out for the quiet ones!

So… what did my teammate get me into? I am excited about learning/doing something new, but I really don’t want to screw-up someone’s research. I seriously have not been in a science lab since high school, and Mr. Saia was a great chemistry and physics teacher, but that was YEARS ago. So as a math teacher, is this really the right place for me? I am looking forward to working with RC, and hopefully our plan for a course will make it all the way to implementation.

Lab??

Life in the Lab… so my pipetting (sp?) skills leave much to be desired, though they are improving. I’m still not sure about the units of measurement, but I seem to be learning. I am excited to actually have numbers to “crunch”. Finally, something that I know how to do, though I have finally discovered something that I miss from Excel ‘03… graphs/charts seemed to be easier, but I’ve got it now. I was even able to do the error bars.

We are still struggling with what the “new class” is going to look like, but are gradually making some progress. Hopefully, we will get some answers to our questions, and will be able to proceed.
Lab to Class

From Lab to Class:
So, my lab skills have improved, but then there was no place to go but up. I am still not sure exactly what we are supposed to be doing… that’s not quite true, I do know the goal, I just don’t know how we are supposed to accomplish the goal. I haven’t been in this situation in a long time. The discomfort I feel is reminiscent of my undergrad experience in Abstract Algebra. I am hearing a faint echo of Dr. Dan Saracino… “Frustrated, good, now you are ready to learn something”. I have the frustration part down pat…and am ready to learn something.

I greeted RC today with…”I want to change…..because the data doesn’t make sense to me.” She, being the good sport that she is, says “okay.” Hmmm if I keep revising our practice stuff, will we ever get to the “real deal”? Kory said when we got here that it could take 5 years to get a 6months of “good” research… let’s convert that to weeks

so for our six weeks… our goal is 4.2 days… but we don’t really get 6 full weeks… so I’ll be happy if we get 3 days…

PotLuck

2009-09-08T21:48:00.002-04:00

Another amazing potluck. What a tremendous variety of women, ideas, and personalities (and the food was good too). It is heartening to see the wide variety of backgrounds, religious beliefs, political affiliations, and life experiences gather together around this amazing craft. We all can admire and appreciate the workmanship of each other. I learn something new each time. I'm not sure if our beloved local yarn store owner knew what she was getting herself into when we started this, but I am eternally grateful that she allows us to continue to invade her shop the 2nd Tuesday of the month. I look forward to it every time and am never disappointed. It is rejuvenating.

Bag Sale :-)

2009-08-29T22:01:00.003-04:00

So another 5th Saturday Sale... Did I get all that I wanted? Hmmm... not really, but I probably got all that I should. I purchased the yarn to make the Vine Yoke cardigan and I've wanted to try the ty-dye wool, so that's good. But I probably should have purchased more for Christmas Gifts. Oh well, there is another 5th Saturday in October!

On another note... I love my hair stylist! I went to the salon with a friend, and my stylist happened to come in (she wasn't working). I mentioned that I wanted a cut...wasn't happy with the hair... she brought me back to her chair, wet, cut, and dried my hair (it was MUCH more than a bang trim)... and wouldn't charge me! She said it was my back to school present (and she knows how I'm feeling about going back). (yes I did put $ in her drawer)

Rachel at Colour Roxx in the Shoppes at Louviers, a genius with color.. and just terrific! Thanks again Rach!

Furlough?

2009-08-27T10:27:00.002-04:00

So because the state legislature voted to implement a 2.5% pay cut, state agencies were directed to find a way to "furlough" the corresponding amount of days in such a way as to not cause overtime/additional costs. For me... that means a total of 4 furlough days, 2 of which are this week (yesterday and today). Why is it then that I am being asked, by the people I work with and for, why I am not at work? Or aren't you going to be at school today?

This is my new resolution... I only work for free on stuff that I want to work on... (or for people I want to work with).

Here we go again

2009-08-21T18:50:00.005-04:00

So here we are the new school year. I'm trying to find the joy, really I am. I always look forward to going back to school. Even as a student, I couldn't wait for the first day of school, the unknown was exciting, the known was like coming home. Not so much this year. For the first time in my career, I'm not looking forward to going back to work. The good news is that driving into the parking lot today I didn't feel sick to my stomach, but I really am not looking forward to walking into that building on Monday. I wish that I could just take every day that the kids aren't there off... hmmm... Since I "don't relate well to staff" or was it that I "don't work well with adults"? I wonder why I should bother to try? Or a better question, why have I been asked to give presentations to adults, or to lead planning sessions with adults.... I'm obviously not qualified to do so, or so the powers that be would have me believe.

It was nice being rushed by some of the football players (though they wondered why I hadn't been around earlier) and the requests from other students were reaffirming. so I will look forward not to Monday, but to September 1st when my real job begins again, the reason that I chose this career path... when kids are in the room.

Refocus

2009-07-25T11:03:00.004-04:00

So the boss decides to make changes... no notice, no warning... and yes I feel used. I have been wallowing for a while now, and it's time to snap out of it. Yes, my future is decidedly different, and a little more uncertain than I am comfortable with, but seriously.. I have a job. I'm really good at what I do, at least the working with kids part, but based on recent requests, I would be willing to say that I am good at working with teachers as well, despite what others may think. So why am I complaining? I always say that I don't want to leave the classroom, so this year I won't. I'll have to do some outside work to make up for the lost income, and my yarn budget may be severly limited, but it is time to refocus. I'm not looking forward to teaching in isolation again, but with the "stand and deliver model" that the boss has chosen, I won't have much of a choice. I'll also be spending the time getting my certification in other states, better safe than sorry, right? I do wish that I knew what my schedule will be so that I can at least be a little prepared.

So the depression will lift, and this feeling of being punched in the face will lessen... but when will the feeling of being used go away?

Where have you been?

2009-06-09T11:34:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure I should count states, if I have only seen the inside of a convention center... but here it goes..

visited 33 states (66%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

Wall of Sock Yarn

2009-01-18T17:10:00.003-05:00

Charlotte Yarn Crawl

2008-07-16T15:47:00.004-04:00

So we all know that knitting is addictive, and is there a knitter anywhere that wouldn't check out LYS on vacation... what about when visiting family? My sister is a new knitter... and hadn't checked any out, so what is an older sister for???

So far have been to 4 (and went in this order):

Peace of Yarn, Matthews NC
Owner was great! Gave me a tour and let my mom and sister explore. Very warm and welcoming. There wasn't anyone knitting there at the time, but she did ask about what I was working on and talked to my sister about lessons vs classes and invited us all back to sit and knit. Good variety of both workhorse yarns and specialty, silks, handyed, etc... Very bright and cheery. Not a lot of novelty yarns, which made me happy and it was NOT organized by color... fiber seemed to be the primary consideration. Definitey worth the trip, and I will certainly return. Bought my sister a really nice hand painted worsted for her to make a scarf and my 4yrold niece picked a ball of sock yarn for me to knit her socks...

Cottage Yarn, Mint Hill NC
Is in a cottage, hence the name. Almost missed it because it is on a major road, and not well signed. Owner and staff were very friendly. The shop also had a great variety, and my sister found stuff in the sale room. I got a skein of the store brand of silk yarn and picked up a pattern that I hadn't seen (I may have found a use for the large amount of alpaca yarn in my stash). also had beautiful yarn from South Africa... wish I hadn't spent my yarn allowance. Again no one was knitting in the store, but they said they had 2 regular knit-in times and people were welcome to sit and knit. Again I would go back again... especially for their own yarn

The Yarn Shop and Rainey Day Creations, Pineville NC
Even though it is under renovations (they are expanding!) the shop was very inviting. Friendly staff and customers... again no one was knitting, but they were set-up to allow for that... the renovations/construction made things a little cramped (understandably). Bought some sock yarn and some Brittany DPNs, it was 10% off due to the construction which was a nice suprise!

Charlotte Yarns, Charlotte NC
Bright airy, and staff was very friendly. great variety of weights and brands. Lots of different spots to sit and knit, and staff said that there was one group that was regular, but the rest stopped by often... Saw a sign that reminded me of SWS : "See a project you want to try, but are nervous? Let us know and we'll plan a class!" It doesn't get much better than that.

Lots of Noro... actually at all of the shops, and Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn was also at all...

More later!

Tag I'm it... Thanks Yarn Mama

2008-07-11T07:29:00.003-04:00

Rules:

You must answer the questions using only one word & tag four others.

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? Non-existant (too far away to matter)
3. Your hair? cool
4. Your mother? Quilting
5. Your father? Hooking
6. Your favorite thing? Yarn (well duh!)
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? wine
9. Your dream/goal? doctorate
10. The room you’re in? living
11. Your hobby? knitting
12. Your fear? failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy
14. What you’re not? thin
15. Muffins? cranberry
16. One of your wish list items? blocking
17. Where you grew up? Pawling
18. The last thing you did? shower
19. What are you wearing? crescent Moon
20. Favorite gadget? ipod
21. Your pets? demanding
22. Your computer? Dell
23. Your mood? lonely
24. Missing someone? yes
25. Your car? mess
26. Something you’re not wearing? make-up
27. Favorite store? CrescentMoon
28. Like someone? yes
29. Your favorite color? purple-green
30. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? yesterday

I'm tagging bree, reluctant mango, zim-zim, lizzyd

no Tag backs!

PotLuck Recipe + Question

2008-07-08T21:51:00.002-04:00

So does it count as a new project if it is the result of a class? Does it count if you already started it once and are retrying?

I found this recipe online... my usual disclaimers apply... I don't measure anything, I used both lemon and lime juice... and doubled the recipe for the potluck
Shrimp & Feta Tabbouleh (SP?)

Ingredients
• 2/3 cup bulgur
• 1 2/3 cups water
• juice of 1 lemon
• 12 ounces shrimp, cooked
• 1 cup cucumber, diced (I use the hothouse seedless some places call them European)
• 1 tomato, chopped, or pint of grape tomatoes quartered
• 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup cilantro, chopped (about one bunch including stems)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
• salt & pepper
Directions
1. In a saucepan, combine bulgur, water and 2 tablespoons lemon juice; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until tender, about 12-15 minutes Drain any excess water and let cool.
2. Place chopped shrimp in large serving bowl. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and fresh ground pepper. Let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in cucumber, tomatoes, onion, parsley, oil and feta. Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
4. Stir in cooled bulgur and toss. If the bulgur isn't completely cooled the salad will be clumpy... still tastes okay though.

Another FInished Object!

2008-07-07T16:21:00.002-04:00

Yippee... I finished the socks... bound off and everything, and they fit. So I may have gotten a little carried away with the leg, but I like them. Also finished another string bag... maybe I should work on finishing some larger projects now.

I went to take pictures, and the charger is missing from one camera and the batteries are dead in the other. Arghh.

Happy 4th!

2008-07-04T22:06:00.004-04:00

I have a number of friends that are currently active duty. Regardless of how you feel about the situation, please keep them and all that serve or have done so in the past in your thoughts today. May they come home safely and quickly.

Now about the knitting.... I finally finished binding off the Hemlock Ring. I can't wait to see it blocked!

So one finished... and more to go... I think that the Juliet may be next...

Does anything ever go as planned?

2008-07-02T09:53:00.002-04:00

I plan, I really do... I plan for my courses, for the groups that I am a part of, and for my personal life... but they always seem to backfire. I'm not talking about minor glitches, I'm referring to the scrap everything and start again backfires...

Like when the cable breaks on your knitting project and you don't realize it until you finish the stitches and are holding the cable with no stitches on it.... with cotton yarn, there's no picking up those stitches...

Or you look at your schedule for the coming year and you realize that none of the classes you have been planning for are on your schedule, and instead there is one that you have never taught and for which there isn't a curriculum. You would think that someone would have told the department chair that there would be a new course.... you would think.

Or when you are planning a trip the others involved would return emails and calls...

Or even the small things like your on and off significant other would give you a little more than a days notice that he's not showing up... Can't really blame him, after all I'm the committment phobic one.

Done grousing, maybe its just PMS?

Another Panic Sunday...

2008-06-29T17:02:00.003-04:00

So I was meeting a knitting friend for breakfast (we needed to fuel up before the EZ Adult Surprise Jacket), and I couldn't find my card case. Now granted I wasn't that worried, I had used it last on Friday and hadn't gone anywhere on Saturday. I last had it when leaving Food Lion on my way to a friends for Dinner. I distinctly remembered putting it into my dress pocket on the way out to the car... So while at breakfast, I wasn't too concerned. I mean it had to either be in my pocket still or at my friend's... So stopped by the house on my way to SWS and checked the pocket. No luck. Still not too panicked, I sent a message to my friend. I mean I left my watch and 2 rings there, it isn't that big a stretch to think I left the card case... and waited to hear back...

Then the reality hit. I was about to go to my LYS and I didn't have any means to buy any yarn. I knew I would need some... I always do. I did find a 20, so that would cover the necessities, but what about the rest? And Nonna's risotto was calling to me. Oh well... it's going to be fine. My friend will call and my case will be there... right? Hmm, no such luck. Oh, they called... but my case wasn't there. Did I mention that my frequent buyer card was in there as well? :-(

SO time to go home and tear the house apart. Maybe I took it out of my pocket? Now, I am far from the best house keeper... really far from that... But I start searching. I ignore the phone... GiGi needs to go out... and I have to find her ball. Guess what... right next to the ball... was the plastic card case. Now I'm not saying that my wonderful dog hid it on me to send a message, but I am suspicious.

Off to finish the increases on the EZ Surprise and then another repeat of the lace for the Flirty Tank.

A finished object...

2008-06-24T21:58:00.004-04:00

Wooo hooo! I bound off the last row of the baby blanket! Weave in some ends and I'm done... I'm counting it even if I traded a string bag for a crocheted edge rather than the applied I-cord... Tonight was lots of fun... A good mix of people and experiences. I do look forward to the Tuesday night knitting. I'll post a pic of the baby blanket before I send it off.

I reached a new plateau in my knitting. I was working on my sock and I noticed that a few rows earlier I had split the yarn so the stitch was wonky. Admittedly, If it hadn't been Monday, I probably would have driven to SWS to get someone to fix it. Instead I knit around to right above that stitch, dropped the stitch and laddered it back up... Okay so I used 3 needles, and it took me longer than it would have taken someone else, but I DID IT!!! Such a small thing, but huge for me... :-)

Long Time no Blog... Too long

2008-06-22T20:28:00.002-04:00

So it's been so long, I'm not sure where to start. So rather than trying to figure out where I left off, I'll just start again.

I have discovered that I am very good at starting projects... I like to learn new techniques and work with different yarns, but I'm not so good at finishing what I start. This could of course be part of my fear of commitment. Once I finish, it exists, and can't be changed... let's face it there has to be some reason that I have only to bind off my hemlock ring, and there it sits in my bag taunting me... I like my toe-up socks, they were fun to make, but if I finish... who knows what will happen. I mean I might actually work through my stash. If I finish, then I'll have to find a use, or a place, for all of these things. I've finished the washcloths, but they are small... I bet if I could I would put those off too.

I keep setting goals for myself, but don't really hold myself accountable to those deadlines. My latest is that when I finish the Juliet, I have to finish the Swing Coat that I started last year. We'll have to see if that works.

So off to knit again, and hopefully finish the Log Cabin baby blanket that I started, only 2 more borders and then the I-cord.

:-)

Resolutions...

2008-01-15T21:03:00.000-05:00

So it was my New Year's resolution to make it to the Newark Knitter's group... instead of working all of those events... and already busted it... ARGHHH

Also a New Year's resolution was to start the craft club at school... going to start with knitting, but am nervous. Figure some decent worsted yarn from my stash and some size 10ish needles... I'll let you all know how it goes! So far 10 kids have signed up, but we'll see who shows up..

Any suggestions as to what type of caston to use/teach? I learned the knitted caston, but maybe long tail would be better? Hmm... Have until next Thursday to figure it out.

buncha squares...

2007-12-25T16:03:00.000-05:00

finally finished!!! )Okay so I still have to do 3 borders, but it is together (thank you Linda and Sara!!!) an she LOVED it!!!

All that worry for naught!

Will post pictures soon, it looks good if I do say so myself.

Will be nice to work on something different for a change. May put the Einstein coat on the back burner just so I am doing something other than garter stitch... Perhaps the Central Park Hoodie? I could finish the waves scarf.... or my swing coat... Hmmm....

Lost 5 lbs... lots to go, but it's a start!

Hope that all have a restful Holiday!

2007-12-19T20:57:00.000-05:00

2007-11-29T08:20:00.000-05:00

89%DRUNKARD

Buncha Squares... The neverending Project

2007-11-20T09:40:00.000-05:00

SO I finished all 16 squares (yes I know I said I would do 24... but things change). And when I laid it out, it seemed very small. Enter the latest shade of Ultra Alpaca (yummy yummy) FIG. I love it (and Linda humors me by letting me think that I picked it) It's a really deep purple and here I go again, adding another border to the individual squares and the entire blanket (once it is sewn together) or once Linda shows me how to put it together. Have I mentioned how much time I spend at my LYS? If you haven't been... you should go. Especially now that they are expanding... even more room for yummy yarn!!

Elly

2007-11-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

Am so sad... Had to have Elly euthanized on Friday. The pain meds were no longer effective.

Stitches

2007-10-22T17:11:00.000-04:00

Now I told people that I would be bringing Mimosas for the bus ride... why on earth would they be surprised that I actually did? Hmmm.... next year, definitely need to bring more orange juice!

Stitches was fun... was fun to pet all of the pretty yarn. I bought some beautiful hand died hanks for an over sized shawl... and I found a baby sweater pattern that uses size 15 needles (and fat yarn)! Yippee!!! Perfect for me! And it is knit in one piece... even more perfect! I also was able to finish another square for the buncha squares project... 20 more... or maybe only 16... depends on how quickly I get them done.

Elly ~ the 190 lb English Mastiff

2007-10-22T17:03:00.000-04:00

Long time no blog… so where should I start? Elly is my 190lb brindle English Mastiff. I adopted/saved her 4 years ago (her previous owner was going to put her down, as her size had become unmanageable and the son had developed an extreme allergy. I had just had to have my 18 year old Rottie down, and wasn’t sure I was ready, but Elly climbed into my lap and nuzzled my cheek and I was a goner… She is 8 now.

So last week I left for work on Monday as usual, but when I came home, Elly couldn’t walk down the hallway. She was hobbling and wouldn’t put any pressure on her right front paw. So I called the Vet, and got an appointment for the next day. I wasn’t all that worried… Mastiffs are in general overgrown couch potatoes, but every once in a while, Elly likes to chase her cat, so I thought that she might have “sprained” her ankle or stepped on a cat toy… I was not expecting to be told that she had an osteosarcoma, bone cancer. "Approximately 90% of dogs are euthanized due to metastasized disease regardless of treatment (even if the affected limb is amputated) within 6 months of diagnosis…" so sayth all of the research...
So my choices are (1) euthanize now, (2) Manage her pain medically until such time as her quality of life deteriorates and then euthanize or (3) Amputate the entire front leg, follow up with radiation and/or chemo… Now I may be crazy but 190 lbs when most of the weight is carried in the front on an 8 yr old dog… am thinking amputation is not really an option… so I chose 2. Right now, as long as I give her the painkillers 2x a day, she acts completely normal… so here’s to hoping For a few more weeks, or even a month!

Ravelry and Bunches....

2007-10-02T21:37:00.000-04:00

I got my invite.... :-) Now I just need to find the time to explore...

Also finished another 2 squares... 22 more to go... And just in time to start the quilt wrap! I believe that I may be losing the battle.

Finished a square.. :-)

2007-09-20T15:32:00.000-04:00

I finished my first square!!! and I love it! The Ultra Alpaca looks so nice with the Andes border... yummy! I'll have to get around to posting some pictures soon.

SO one square down, and only 23 left to go... hmm that's a bit of a buzz kill.

Other good news... they caught the 2 that smashed the windows. Found the bats (with glass imbedded) in the residence of one of them... You may wonder why the y would be dumb enough to keep the bats, but let us not forget that they were dumb enough to do it in the first place!!!

Buncha Squares

2007-09-16T19:43:00.000-04:00

I started the "Buncha Squares" afghan yesterday (Mason Dixon blog)... I know I know, the last thing I need is another project... but nevertheless what fun! I certainly will be able to pick up stitches when I finish :-) I did decide to change things a bit (big surprise). I'm using wool instead of cotton...ultra alpaca for the center of the blocks and Andes for the borders... 4 different types of the Andes... so I am going to make 8 of each of the 3 blocks... at least that is the plan now...

When am I going to finish project? Good question... who knows, but I am sure having fun starting them!

More yarn... Oh No!

2007-09-03T12:53:00.000-04:00

So the New Paltz Craft festival... wonderful artists and amazing work... and YARN!! I got a skein of variegated merino and then 2 of camel hair! I hadn't seen any camel hair yarn before... and it is so very soft. Then on to the next booth and lo and behold more wool... they had roving and made me wish I knew somethig about felting or spinning... but I didn't let that stop me from picking up a few skeins of beautiful yarn. Now what will I do with it??

Have to write some lesson plans for tomorrow and the coming week so that I can take time later to knit!

Adventures inYarn...

2007-09-01T21:55:00.000-04:00

Picture a very blissful happy face... sort of like an addict after getting a fix. I just got pack from Morehouse (Store is called sheeps clothing) and it never fail that I find yummy yarn as well as a project or two to try. Today was no exception. I got some from the sale bed, and picked up some lace weight to try a poncho pattern with... as well as some variegated bulky to make some mittens... I really like making mittens, and am really not sure why.

We took the long way back to Pawling and stopped by Yarn Central in Hopewell Junction as well (okay so it's not even close to on the way, but I had to check it out). Lots of different yarns, but so cramped! Seems like a friendly place to meet and knit, but there really wasn't enough room to move around. I did find a really pretty red bulky yarn... who knows what it will become.

all for now. Am off to Ulster County fairgrounds tomorrow to check out a craft show, then home, and back to work... and of course the pumpkin class on Tuesday... I hope that the yarn I have will work....

Counting Rows..

2007-09-01T13:23:00.000-04:00

So there are row counters and tick marks... hanging beads and bracelets... but is there one that works without you having to remember to do something? I was doing well with the tickmarks, but somewhere between my LYS and the car, or the car and my house, I have succeeded in losing the post-it that had my rows fo rthe swing coat. So I know that I had to do a wrong side row, but am not sure if the next row was the swing row, or if I had started a new repeat... Linda and Sara are just going to love me this week!!

I did do another repeat of the rigalatto (sp) scarf, and am looking forward to finishing it so I can do it again with different yarn. Have to finish the toe of my first sock, and pick up the stitches for the second one... almost there. Now if I could just knock out another 25 rows on the wave scarf I might actually feel like I accomplished something. Needed heavy therapy after Thursday...

So Sad... This sucks

2007-08-30T08:25:00.000-04:00

Arriving at school today, I was feeling like my old self... excited for the new year, happy to be teaching, looking forward to working with the kids... despite all of my previous whining, I really do love what I do... So arriving and being told that there would be no kids do to some vandalism cut pretty deep. Broken/smashed windows... glass everywhere... too many rooms to really count... I know it wasn't our kids. We had such a great start the last 2 days. I really think that it was probably the few that our Principal told were no longer permitted to attend CHS... I just want to cry... scream... and hit something... this just SUCKS!

Potluck Recipes

2007-08-29T21:03:00.000-04:00

Am posting the recipes for Noodle Pudding and the pulled chicken, just in case :-)

Crock Pot Pulled Chicken

Ingredients
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
¼ cup vinegar
¾ cup chopped onion
2 T Worcestershire
½ t salt
2 T dried basil
2T dried parsley
1t ground thyme
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed Tomato soup

Layer chicken in bottom of crock pot, combine all other ingredients in bowl and pour over chicken. Cover tightly and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Shred chicken with fork and cook for approximately 1-2 hours or until done through. Serve on hamburger buns.

Notes: I rarely measure anything, so season to your own taste... I have added molasses at times, and even commercial BBQ sauce... anything I add I do so after the meat has been shredded, and do so to taste... have fun! I prefer potato rolls instead of hamburger buns…

Noodle Pudding

Ingredients
½ - 1 lb wide egg noodles
½ lb butter softened
1 cup sugar
2 tsp Vanilla
1 lb sour cream
½ lb cream cheese softened
6 large eggs
1 large can cherry pie filling

Cook Noodles with salt. Grease baking dish (9x13). Line the bottom of the dish with noodles. Mix all other ingredients except cherry pie filling together and pour over noodles. Bake in 350o oven for 1 hour. Cool 5 minutes, pour cherries on top and bake again for 10 minutes.

Notes: A great brunch dish! Best when served hot.

Ravelry...

2007-08-29T15:57:00.000-04:00

I keep wondering if I'll ever be invited...

I am #21699 on the list.
10889 people are ahead of me in line.
7993 people are behind me in line.
35% of the list has been invited so far

I don't think those numbers add up to my being invited any time soon...

I keep hearing about all of the time that people spend there, so maybe it's a good thing since I am supposed to be back at work... hmmm makes you wonder where my priorities are.

Today was a good day at school... kids were excited to be here and it was fun... they did ask about books, but didn't seem to upset when I said that it may have to wait a week... or at least until Tuesday. Am still going to get those rows down on teh swing coat, especially since the last official knit-a-long is next week... But with Stitches being open until 6, I may be able to spend some more time there than I expected... Poor Jan, Linda, Heather, and Sara... lol

Potluck and one project down...

2007-08-28T22:02:00.001-04:00

Yippee! Finished my turtleshell mitts tonight at the knit and eat at my LYS. and Linda even let us schedule another one :-) What fun!

Tomorrow I need to do 15 rows on my waves and another repeat on the swingcoat... I figure if I take small bites I'll be able to finish... My logic was flawed tonight at the potluck, too many yummy dishes to try!

First days

2007-08-28T16:54:00.000-04:00

So the students arrived, as I knew they would and all went well... more or less. The great news is that the books arrived today, so hopefully they will be delivered in time for classes tomorrow. Still no supplies, but who am I to complain.

As for my projects... I am almost through with my turtleshell mitts, and have made some progress on my waves scarf... now to get cracking on that second helmet liner and my swing coat. My goal was to have them done before I start the Wallaby... am still hopeful, but probably not realistic.

Have to admit that it was a good day all things together, and tonight is the potluck at my lys I can't wait! Knitting and food.... what more can I ask for? Maybe my boyfriend being around more...? Nah... lol

Venting 101

2007-08-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

There should be a course in venting... how to vent appropriately... how to vent professionally... with whom to vent... but that may be the purpose of blogging...

So students arrive in my classroom tomorrow, no supplies, no textbooks.... I have plenty of yarn... maybe I should teach them to knit instead of math? Not likely, don't know if I want to share my needles. :-)

I have failed completely at my goal of whittling down my yarn stash this summer. Perhaps spending all of that time at my LYS knitting wasn't the best plan in order to see that goal to fruition. I also have not finished the projects that I set out to complete... still so many on needles, and so many waiting to begin. I have made progress... one of my turtleshell mitts is off the needles, a scarf is almost done, but the swingcoat needs some serious attention as does the waves scarf, and I really should get started on my wallaby. Perhaps tomorrow...oh wait I have to go to work, and deal with the no books thing, and the no supplies... and my classroom is a mess.... and.... and.... time to scream... nah, I'll just go knit...

First Day...

2007-08-20T19:56:00.000-04:00

So the first day of school... at least for teachers. No supplies, no textbooks, and in some cases no access to classrooms. So therapy began as soon as I got home. 15 rows on the waves scarf and I did the cables correctly this time... am a little calmer, but have to make a Walmart run to buy essentials for my classroom. So it may be the swing coat for the therapy after that bill.

Cables... ARGH

2007-08-18T16:49:00.001-04:00

So, I'm working on my big waves scarf (free pattern from knitpicks) ... my first cable attempt, and admittedly it's been awhile since I worked on it... but you would think that I would remember (A) that I did a cable cast on so the tail is at the start of even rows and (B) that when it says to hold the cable needle to the back, that you actually do have do put the cable needle behind... ARGH!!! Thank heaven for for Sara and Linda at Stitches! Maybe I should have started with a cable pattern that is smaller than 24? But it looked so yummy! And knitting it with Victor is very soothing.

Back to school on Monday! THis weekend was teacher appreciation at Staples and Office Depot, so I certainly made the rounds... Especially important since none of the supplies that I ordered have yet to arrive at school. Another great start :-/

First Timer

2007-08-17T14:08:00.000-04:00

So, I've been reading blogs for a while, and have decided to venture out with one of my own... Hopefully this will indeed, "Beat Therapy"!

I use my yarn addiction as a cheaper form of therapy... it really is mindful meditation, and does help. I'm sure those that know me from my LYS wonder how crazy I really am, if knitting calms me.

With back to school coming at me like a train, I'd better get to work on the many projects that I've started... I think that I should probably finish something soon, instead of just buying more needles (though that does sound appealing). Currently am working on my first pair of socks, a pair of fingerless mittens, a large waves scarf (my first attempt at cables), a swing coat, an argosy scarf, a Rigaletto scarf, a basic long row scarf (with really yummy yarn).. I don't think I should have started this list.... But I need to free up some needles to start my Wallaby!