Saturday, December 30, 2006

Quality Time With Owen

We went to the museum, and did a little toy shopping (he decided on a little red chair with Spiderman on it for sitting at his desk.  He's asleep now and is spending the night.  I'm waiting for him to wake up so he can eat supper. 

Friday, December 29, 2006

My last day at St. Mary's Hospital

This is the breakroom, see my Pepsi on the table and my soda crackers.  There is a microwave and a little refrigerator.  That's our report table you see there.  This next picture is the computer where I did all my charting, well, most of it anyway.  If you look in back of that, there on the right, you can see mail slots.  Mine was the one on the upper right side...it's emptied out now.

I worked here for almost twenty seven years.  I retired in 2004 but stayed on until today just PRN...very part time.  Today was my last day.  Woo Hoo!!  I'm going to hybernate for the winter months. 

Okay, now below is my recipe I made this morning for my extremely delicious potato soup.  I had some and a 'spot' of tea for a late supper.

Potato Soup

Peel 4-5 medium potatoes, cut them into squares, about 1/2 inch or thereabouts.

Add cold water, a little more than enough to cover them. Bring to a boil and add a little very finely chopped onions, about 1 to 2 tablespoons, more or less to taste.
Add about the same amount of real finely chopped celery or celery seed.

Now, the secret, take a bowl of flour, add just a bit of salt & pepper, mix it up and then dip your fingers into water and sprinkle it into the flour & let it sit a couple minutes. It makes little flour balls and the more of these, the better. Now add the little balls to the soup and continue to simmer. The flour will thicken it up just a little til it's a good consistancy.
Simmer til they are done, then, add about 2 to 2 & 1/2 cups of milk.

Continue to simmer. Add salt, pepper and butter to taste. If the consistancy is too thick, add more milk, if too thin, sprinkle in some instant potato flakes.
After the first time you make it, you will learn to adjust for more or less milk depending on how much you want to make.

 

Monday, December 25, 2006

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas

My grandchildren Hali and Owen and their brother Ethin wishing you lots of presents from Santa Claus.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

 

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Christmas Tea

Here are the teas that I'm having this year...of course there are others that I enjoy but I like to get holiday teas this time of year and Celestial Seasonings always has a good variety.  I have a perfect large cup that I got from Jenny that I fill with warm tea and wrap my hands around it to enjoy some quiet thinking time, to read for a while, or to work a crossword puzzle.  They make the kitchen smell so nice too.  Try some.

 

 

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Little Drummer Boy

(Davis-Onorati-Simeone)


 

Come they told me (pa-rum pum pum pum)
A newborn King to see (pa-rum pum pum pum)
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King
So to honor Him (pa-rum pum pum pum)
when we come

Little Baby (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I am a poor boy too (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I have no gift to bring (pa-rum pum pum pum)
that's fit to give our King
Shall I play for You? (pa-rum pum pum pum)
On my drum

Mary nodded (pa-rum pum pum pum)
The ox and lamb kept time (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I played my drum for Him (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I played my best for Him
Then He smiled at me (pa-rum pum pum pum)
Me and my drum

Peace on Earth, can it be
Years from now, perhaps we'll see
See the day of glory
See the day, when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on Earth, can it be
Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can

I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too
He'll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on Earth, can it be
Can it be

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Cookies

Owen decorating the new batch of thumb print cookies.

 

 

Hali and Owen eating the cookies.

Honey Cookies
1C butter
1C sugar
2 eggs
2 C honey
2/3 C water
7 C flour
4 t baking soda
3 t cream of tartar
1 t salt
1 T cinnamon
1 t ginger
1 t nutmeg
Cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs, honey, & water. Add flour to baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, & spices. Add the dry mix to the creamed mix. Blend thoroughly and refrigerate for 1 hour. Roll dough 1/4 inch thick and cut to desired shapes. place on ungreased cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees until cookies are lightly browned. Makes 4-5 dozen cookies depending on the size of the cutters you use.
.

Jumbles

2 2/3 C sugar
4 C butter
8 eggs
4 T vanilla extract
4 T cinnamon
4 t nutmeg
5 1/3 C flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla and egg and mix completely.

Blend spices with flour and add to the creamed mixture.

Drop from a teaspoon 2 inches apart on a non-stick cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees until the edges are golden brown (about 10 minutes, but watch them carefully).

Makes 16 dozen small cookies, but the recipe can be easily halved or quartered.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Things I love

 

The touch of a baby's hand on my cheek

The sound of someone I love, laughing

The taste and smell of chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven

The way the air feels after a spring rain

The softness of cat fur

The scent of bread baking

A Rainbow

The sight of rolling green hills

The clip clopping of horse's hooves

The taste of ice cream

A tomato picked right off the vine

The smell of fresh cut grass

And what are your favorites?

Sunday, December 17, 2006

So Busy

Picking up hours at work, decorating, knitting, baking.  This song is playing on the radio, let's all sing along...

    Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,
    Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
    With God as our Father, brothers all are we,
    Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.

    Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
    With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,
    To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
    Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

A Home Day

The picture is of the cookies I made today, recipe to follow, sorry not sugar free.  I stayed home and did a couple projects today.  I finished one scarf and made a little sweatshirt for each of my grandchildren...well I didn't sew them, I added pictures to them and words, etc.  I put one of the pictures upside down, I wonder if I can get away with saying that I meant to do that.  Now I just have to finish up the wash, one dryer load left.  As far as the weather, it was a pleasant and sunny day so I did a couple outside things to make the yard look better.  I am enjoying my indoor decorations very much.  I even added a bouquet of evergreens for the scent.  My cats are circling my chair wondering why I haven't taken a nap today.  I have my aerobic exercise up to ten minutes before my heart rate starts to climb.  Doesn't sound like much but it was at two minutes for over a month.  Celestial Seasonings sure has some delicious teas, and I'm going to go have myself a cup right now.  Have a good evening everyone that stops by.

Here's the recipe:

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Makes 5 1/2 dozen

1 pouch sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 egg

3 tablespoons flour

1/3 cup raspberry jam

1 cup vanilla baking chips

red or green sugar to make them a little more festive

Heat oven to 375F.  In a large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, egg and flour until soft dough forms.

Roll dough into 3/4 inch balls, place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Using thumb (or the handle of a wooden spoon), make an indentation in the center of each cookie. Spoon about 1/4 teaspoon jam into each indentation.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown.  Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

In a small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips on high 1 to 2 minutes or until chips are melted; stir until smooth.  Spoon melted chips into a small resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in the corner of the bag.  Squeeze bag gently to drizzle melted chips over the cookies.

Sprinkle with colored sugar.

Saturday, December 9, 2006

A pleasant day

Here is a picture of Lambeau Field at sunset.  Jenny and I did some shopping today and decided to stop at Krolls for supper.  Krolls is just across from the Packer Stadium and it was sunset so I took this picture.  If you come to Green Bay be sure to stop at Krolls and have one of their hamburgers with everything and a bowl of chili.  Very good.  Today I chose a turkey club on whole wheat instead.  Also delicious.  It was fun shopping and not too busy in the stores we went to.  We went to regular stores but we also went to the treasure store and to Will Goodness as Jenny calls it.  I got a couple little made in Japan china figures which I love and a beautiful wind sock which I don't have anyplace to put as I already have too many.  K Mart was another store we stopped at.  It looks just like Santa's workshop in there with all the Christmas things.  After I got home I ordered a couple books from Amazon.  Barack's latest and also a book called One More Day.  Both should be very enjoyable to read.  By the time they get here I'll be done with the books I'm currently reading.  That's about it for today...here's my Jenny...

Friday, December 8, 2006

Family Time

What a wonderful time I had tonight with my family.  We all went to the Botanical Gardens to see the beautiful Christmas lights.  There were butterflies and flowers, birds that looked like they were flying, swans on the pond.  We were in a horse drawn sleigh and the clip clop of the horse hoofs was a pleasant addition to a wonderful event.  After the tour through the garden we all gathered in the shelter for hot chocolate and singing Christmas carols.  I was so busy oohing and ahing the lights that I didn't take many pictures but I have some of my dear family.

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Feast of St. Nicholas

Owen checking out the orange m and m dressed up in a darth vader costume for the Christmas tree.  He has fun playing in our miniature forest.  I hope everyone had some golden coins and an orange in their stocking this year.

I wish I could play on the computer, get my knitting done and read a book all at the same time.  Not being able to do that, I've chosen to read tonight.  I have a busy day tomorrow, I hope the snow holds off.

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Jolly old St. Nicholas, Lean your ear this way!
Don’t you tell a single soul, What I’m going to say;
Christmas Eve is coming soon; Now, you dear old man,
Whisper what you’ll bring to me: Tell me if you can.

When the clock is striking twelve, When I'm fast asleep,
Down the chimney broad and black, With your pack you'll creep;
All the stockings you will find Hanging in a row;
Mine will be the shortest one, You'll be sure to know.

Johnny wants a pair of skates, Susy wants a dolly;
Nellie wants a story book; She thinks dolls are folly;
As for me, my little brain isn’t very bright;
Choose for me, old Santa Claus. What you think is right.

Sunday, December 3, 2006

A piece of the forest

This year instead of just one tree I decided to decorate a little forest of trees and the one above is the one I decorated for Owen and Hali Anne.  

 

Visit Santa's Secret Village here... http://www.northpole.com/

Stop by Santa Land here... http://www.claus.com/village.php

Friday, December 1, 2006

A Note of Interest

I have taken care of many adults and children in the course of my work that have the AIDS virus.  Usually it's the children that are the most memorable but in this case, it was the adults.  One wonderful thing though...the medicine is better now and this year has almost passed, and in Wisconsin not one child has gotten the AIDS virus so far this year.

Now back to Christmas...something about Christmas that makes you wish it was Christmas everyday.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Wax Paper

I love it...where would I be at Christmas time, or any other time, without it. Every important leaf and flower in my life was pressed between two pieces of waxed paper and placed in a heavy book. When baking a layer cake I cut out wax paper circles to place inside the pan so the cake comes out whole. Learned this from my Mom and still do this especially with birthday cakes. Caramels...my wonderful Christmas caramels wouldn't taste so wonderful if you didn't have to unwrap the wax paper before eating the caramel. My favorite candy store Beernstsens still wraps their most delicious suckers in waxed paper. You can make pictures and place mats by using two pieces of waxed paper and placing things like leaves and such between the sheets. When I was a girl sandwiches for lunch were wrapped in waxed paper. I was reminded recently how much I love waxed paper when my sister, Angel, posted her fruit cakes on our family web site. Anyone would want a slice of those beauties bundled in waxed paper and on the cupboard to cool.

You can make a butterfly with two pieces of wax paper and some broken color shavings...just cut out in the shape of a butterfly two pieces and put the shavings between the papers. Iron on low heat...make a little hole in the top to hang it with and put it in a window.

I hope you are taking time to have fun with your holiday celebrations.

Monday, November 27, 2006

A favorite short Christmas story about the gift of love

CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE MORNING

by Pearl S. Buck


He woke suddenly and completely. It was four o'clock, the hour at which his father had always called him to get up and help with the milking. Strange how the habits of his youth clung to him still! Fifty years ago, and his father had been dead for thirty years, and yet he waked at four o'clock in the morning. He had trained himself to turn over and go to sleep, but this morning it was Christmas, he did not try to sleep.

Why did he feel so awake tonight? He slipped back in time, as he did so easily nowadays. He was fifteen years old and still on his father's farm. He loved his father. He had not known it until one day a few days before Christmas, when he had overheard what his father was saying to his mother.

"Mary, I hate to call Rob in the mornings. He's growing so fast and he needs his sleep. If you could see how he sleeps when I go in to wake him up! I wish I could manage alone."

"Well, you can't, Adam." His mother's voice was brisk. "Besides, he isn't a child anymore. It's time he took his turn."

"Yes," his father said slowly. "But I sure do hate to wake him."

When he heard these words, something in him spoke: his father loved him! He had never thought of that before, taking for granted the tie of their blood. Neither his father nor his mother talked about loving their children--they had no time for such things. There was always so much to do on the farm.

Now that he knew his father loved him, there would be no loitering in the mornings and having to be called again. He got up after that, stumbling blindly in his sleep, and pulled on his clothes, his eyes shut, but he got up.

And then on the night before Christmas, that year when he was fifteen, he lay for a few minutes thinking about the next day. They were poor, and most of the excitement was in the turkey they had raised themselves and mince pies his mother made. His sisters sewed presents and his mother and father always bought him something he needed, not only a warm jacket, maybe, but something more, such as a book. And he saved and bought them each something, too.

He wished, that Christmas when he was fifteen, he had a better present for his father. As usual he had gone to the ten-cent store and bought a tie. It had semed nice enough until he lay thinking the night before Christmas. He looked out of his attic window, the stars were bright.

"Dad," he had once asked when he was a little boy, "What is a stable?"

"It's just a barn," his father had replied, "like ours."

Then Jesus had been born in a barn, and to a barn the shepherds had come...

The thought struck him like a silver dagger. Why should he not give his father a special gift too, out there in the barn? He could get up early, earlier than four o'clock, and he could creep into the barn and get all the milking done. He'd do it alone, milk and clean up, and then when his father went in to start the milking he'd see it all done. And he would know who had done it. He laughed to himself as he gazed at the stars. It was what he would do, and he musn't sleep too sound.

He must have waked twenty times, scratching a match to look each time to look at his old watch -- midnight, and half past one, and then two o'clock.

At a quarter to three he got up and put on his clothes. He crept downstairs, careful of the creaky boards, and let himself out. The cows looked at him, sleepy and surprised. It was early for them, too.

He had never milked all alone before, but it seemed almost easy. He kept thinking about his father's surprise. His father would come in and get him, saying that he would get things started while Rob was getting dressed. He'd go to the barn, open the door, and then he'd go get the two big empty milk cans. But they wouldn't be waiting or empty, they'd be standing in the milk-house, filled.

"What the--," he could hear his father exclaiming.

He smiled and milked steadily, two strong streams rushing into the pail, frothing and fragrant.

The task went more easily than he had ever known it to go before. Milking for once was not a chore. It was something else, a gift to his father who loved him. He finished, the two milk cans were full, and he covered them and closed the milk-house door carefully, making sure of the latch.

Back in his room he had only a minute to pull off his clothes in the darkness and jump into bed, for he heard his father up. He put the covers over his head to silence his quick breathing. The door opened.

"Rob!" His father called. "We have to get up, son, even if it is Christmas."

"Aw-right," he said sleepily.

The door closed and he lay still, laughing to himself. In just a few minutes his father would know. His dancing heart was ready to jump from his body.

The minutes were endless -- ten, fifteen, he did not know how many -- and he heard his father's footsteps again. The door opened and he lay still.

"Rob!"

"Yes, Dad--"

His father was laughing, a queer sobbing sort of laugh.

"Thought you'd fool me, did you?" His father was standing by his bed, feeling for him, pulling away the cover.

"It's for Christmas, Dad!"

He found his father and clutched him in a great hug. He felt his father's arms go around him. It was dark and they could not see each other's faces.

"Son, I thank you. Nobody ever did a nicer thing--"

"Oh, Dad, I want you to know -- I do want to be good!" The words broke from him of their own will. He did not know what to say. His heart was bursting with love.

He got up and pulled on his clothes again and they went down to the Christmas tree. Oh what a Christmas, and how his heart had nearly burst again with shyness and pride as his father told his mother and made the younger children listen about how he, Rob, had got up all by himself.

"The best Christmas gift I ever had, and I'll remember it, son every year on Christmas morning, so long as I live."

They had both remembered it, and now that his father was dead, he remembered it alone: that blessed Christmas dawn when, alone with the cows in the barn, he had made his first gift of true love.

This Christmas he wanted to write a card to his wife and tell her how much he loved her, it had been a long time since he had really told her, although he loved her in a very special way, much more than he ever had when they were young. He had been fortunate that she had loved him. Ah, that was the true joy of life, the ability to love. Love was still alive in him, it still was.

It occured to him suddenly that it was alive because long ago it had been born in him when he knew his father loved him. That was it: Love alone could awaken love. And he could give the gift again and again.This morning, this blessed Christmas morning, he would give it to his beloved wife. He could write it down in a letter for her to read and keep forever. He went to his desk and began his love letter to his wife: My dearest love...

Such a happy, happy Christmas!

THE END

 


Friday, November 24, 2006

Old Gramaw Almost asleep

Seen here with my sweet grand babies watching The Polar Express after a wonderful family Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Enjoy your day tomorrow

A Child's Prayer

Thank you for the world so sweet

Thank you for the food we eat

Thank you for the birds that sing

Thank you God for everything

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

A Christmas carol

Here  comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,

Right down Santa Claus lane

Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer

Pullin' on the reins

Bells are ringin', children singin'

All is merry and bright

Hang your stockings and say your prayers

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

Monday, November 20, 2006

An Interesting Day

I like to have different Christmas trees every year since my children are grown and gone.  Before that it was always the tradition of the same decorations which I also loved but it is a little sad without my children to discover them on the tree.  So now I sort of have themes.  It's always a little hard to come up with something.  This year, though, I'm going to use the four little trees I bought a few years ago.  I've used them before but not as my living room tree so I'll see if it works out.  I'm going to paint them first...the big one will be black, the next will be silver, the next gold, and maybe the little one will be blue or pink, not sure yet.  The biggest one will have all white decorations.  I looked around for some today and they are not easy to find. not at the treasure stores or at the seasonal places.  I don't even know if fake trees will take a spray paint.  It should be a learning experience.  I did find a white angel that I'm going to use.  I'm looking forward to Christmas cleaning the living room so I can get started on my new project.  Hope whoever stops by is also having fun preparing for Christmas.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Good Day To Decorate The Yard

I put some decorations out in back, the side and in the front.  It was warm (39) and sunny and there was a Packer Football game in town so not a good day for shopping.

I have a big Santa in front, Owen will be so excited to see it...so will his Dad and Aunt I'm sure.  I have a candy cane path, some green and white lighted candles and also some chrystel ornaments on the bushes in front.  When the sun hits them they shine and put out tiny little rainbows...it's so cool but I can't catch it in a picture.

In back I have the drummer boy and the nativity scene.  The pictures above are from my yard.

I'm going to do some reading.  I have a good book.  Nicholas Sparks, A Walk To Remember.

Friday, November 17, 2006

A knitting craft

This is one of my knitting projects.  It's fun and easy to make and a cute Christmas decoration too.

 

 

Knit this Santa as a cuddly toy, Christmas door hanger or homemade Christmas ornament.

Materials

  • small amounts of worsted weight yarns, in red, white and black, plus your color choice for face

  • small amount of pillow or toy stuffing

  • US size # 8 needles ( 5 metric)

    Gauge - 5 sts = 1 inch

    Directions: NOTE - Legs and arms are worked the same, except for the hand part. See below.

    For Legs, with black, cast on 4 sts. Knitting across, increase 1 st in each st across.

    ( 8 ) sts.
    Row 2 - Purl
    Row 3 - Knit
    Row 4 - Purl. Cut black, join white.
    Rows 5 and 6 - Knit across in white.

    Cut white, join red. Work in stockinette st, ( knit 1 row , purl 1 row ) for 8 rows.
    Bind off. Make another leg the same.

    For Arms - cast on and work through row 2. Cut black, and join white, and start working on row 5. Finish as above.

    Fold arms and legs in half and sew seams, set aside.

    Body - with red, cast on 26 sts. Work in stockinette st until work is 2 inches long from beg. Work 2 more rows in stockinette st, then bind off.

    Fold body in half on sides, and sew up back seam of body. Sew legs to bottom and arms at top, each side.

    Head - With color choice for face, cast on 7 sts.
    Row 1 - Knitting across, inc in each st across ( 14 sts )
    Row 2 -Purl
    Row 3 - Knitting across, inc 1 st in every " second " stitch across ( 21 sts )
    Purl 1 row, knit 1 row, for 4 rows, then purl one more row. Cut yarn. Join white and knit 3 rows. Cut white. ( note that white will end at the knit row, you will now begin on purl side )
    Join red, and purl across.
    Next row - Knitting across, decrease 3 sts evenly spaced across ( 18 sts )
    Next row - Purl across.
    Next row - *Knit 2, knit 2 tog * repeating between *'s across row, ending knit 2 ( 14 sts)
    Next row - Purl across.
    Repeat these last 2 rows ( 11 sts )
    Next row - Knit 2, knit 2 tog, knit 3, knit 2 tog, knit 2. ( 9 sts )
    Next row -Purl.
    Next row -* Knit 1, Knit 2 tog * repeat between *'s across row. ( 6 sts )
    Next row -Purl
    Next row -* Knit 2 tog * across row ( 3 sts ), turn and purl these 3 sts tog.

    Cut yarn and fasten off. Sew up back seam of hat, then as you sew down back of head, stuff head lightly, and finish sewing seam.

    Sew head to top center of body. Embroider eyes on top of head.

    Beard - With white, cast on 2 sts, and knit 1 row.
    Row 2 - Knitting across, inc in each st ( 4 sts )
    Row 3 -Inc in first st, knit across, inc in last st ( 6 sts )
    Row 4 - knit across.
    Row 5 - Inc in first 2 sts, knit across, increasing in each of last 2 sts. ( 10 sts )
    Row 6 -Knit across.
    Repeat last 2 rows , 3 more times. ( 18 sts ), ending on a knit row. Bind off.

    Sew beard to front of face, extending narrow ends up to top sides of hat.

    NOTE - We bent the tip of the hat to one side of head, and sewed it in place.

    For white pompom for tip of hat, wind white yarn around your first 2 fingers tightly about 12 times. Slip off fingers, tie center of the loops firmly. Cut loop ends, and trim even into a small ball shape. Sew this to tip of hat.
  • Thursday, November 16, 2006

    Trying again, first entry

    My other journal became corrupt when it was hacked by?

    Here is a recipe that is a good snack I think...

    Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes

    1 Devil's Food Cake Mix

    14 ounce can pumpkin

    1/c cup water

    bake at 350 degrees for 16 minutes.

    This makes 24 cupcakes at one point each. 

     Accompanied by a cup of tea and a good book, they hit the spot and help to warm up a winter evening.