Cold Snap

Baby it’s cold outside! We finally dipped below freezing in the last couple of days in Kansas. No snow though 😦

Despite the lack of snow, I got to put on some of my warm (and stylish) hand knits. It’s a ruffle scarf knit from Starbella Flash yarn, Rav link here.

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And grab some delicious coffee to stay warm. My office always has fresh and hot coffee every morning…

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I found this ceramic mug with rubber lid at a clearance Easter sale at Hobby Lobby. It’s easy to clean and keeps my coffee hot hot! Couldn’t live without it.

T-minus 14 days to Christmas and I can’t wait! Hand knits always put me in the holiday spirit!!

Happy Knitting!

Family Photo Outtakes

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We wanted a Christmas card photo this year for the first time since we got married. Well….the dogs were less than cooperative to say the least. But on the bright side I have a hilarious outtake to show you!!

Notice the people look fine, the dog on the left looks a bit intoxicated, and the dog on the right is very unimpressed. Thankfully the photographer got at least a couple good shots (but those are for Christmas presents so I can’t post yet)!

Happy Holidays!!!

Christmas Clearance Event!!

Welcome my Christmas Clearance Event!!!

Please take a few minutes and let me know if you like anything. Email me at atangledyarn@gmail.com. I’ll take payment via paypal on all items listed below with a flat rate of $5 for shipping on all items!

All items are first come first serve. Don’t miss this great sale!!!

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Frilly Knit Lace Scarves – $15 each

 

Very warm and stylish!!! (If you don’t like any of the in stock colors – I can do custom orders with 7 business days’ notice)

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  Bobble Knit Head Wraps – $8

These are knit in SUPER soft yarn and feature a button closure so they fit any size or shape of head.

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Hand stitched Felt Sewing Decoration – $8

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 Blue/White/Brown Cotton Hanging Dishtowel – $8

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 Knit Cotton Coffee Sweaters – $2 each

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Silky Soft Fingerless Gloves in light brown – $8

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 Pink and White Brick Style Cotton Dishcloth/Hot Pads – $10 for the set (100% machine wash/dry)

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Pink and Light Purple Linoleum Style Dishcloths (Cotton) – $8 for the set (100% machine wash/dry)

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 Red and White Knit Hot Pad set – $10 (100% cotton, machine wash/dry)

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Basket Weave Dish Cloth Set in Blues – $12

(100% cotton, machine wash/dry)

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Basket Weave Dish Cloth Set in Pink/White – $12 (100% cotton, machine wash/dry)

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Basket Weave Dish Cloth Cotton Set in Green- $12 (100% cotton, machine wash/dry)

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Brown/Tan/White Brick Style Dish Cloth Set – $15 (100% Cotton, machine wash/dry)

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100% Fleece Swiffer Dusting Cloths in Assorted colors – 2 for $6 or 4 for $10

These are great and 100% machine wash and dry, no more buying refills!

Makes a great stocking stuffer, wand not included.

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 Cotton Dish Scrubbers – $1 each

These are knit in 100% cotton and abrasive acrylic so they can be washed and sanitized. Ditch the gross sponges this year!

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FO Friday: Baby Blanket Victory

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(Sorry for dark iPhone shots…but I finished late last night and just couldn’t wait!)

Victory is mine!! My soft green baby blanket is done and represents the first of many (I hope) stash busting projects! You can find my Ravelry notes here.

I used Caron Simply soft in a light green color and held the yarn double. I wanted bulky yet super soft feel. I am in love with this pattern because its only one row to memorize and makes for great TV and car knitting. This is the third time I’ve made this pattern and probably won’t be the last. A sure sign of a great pattern!

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Due to the holidays and my craft fair prep…..this blanket took a little under two months (ouch). This pattern is actually very fast, I just had to put the blanket on the back burner several times.

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This shot does the best justice to the color. And schedule permitting I will try to take some better shots this weekend. This blanket is destined for a little baby boy due in April? and his wonderfully excited parents. I can’t wait to meet him!!

Snow is in our forecast next week. And I plan to knockout my Christmas shopping tonight. Hopefully this combination will put my holiday spirit and knitting drive into high gear!!

Happy Knitting!!

Crock Pot Asian Peanut Butter Pork

After many many days of sour stomachs and flu hangovers, the hubs and I have our appetite back! So in honor of that here is the latest Pinterest recipe adventure, Crock Pot Asian Peanut Butter Pork! (from a pin that led to the Cassie Craves food blog)

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Ingredient list was simple and I only made two substitutions! I used apple cider vinegar instead if white because that’s what I had on hand and I used a bone in pork butt instead of tenderloin. Why you ask? Simple, bone in pork is tastier, cheaper, and holds moisture better (at least in my opinion). Moisture retention in slow cooked meats is essential!

Set up was easy too as I did all the measuring and slicing the night before and stored in the fridge. So in the morning i just had to throw together! First onion…

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Then the trimmed up pork butt…

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Then remainder of the ingredients….

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I let this slow cook for 7 to 7 1/2 hours. The sauce did scorch a bit on the sides mostly because the hubs slacked on his scrape and stir job during the day. But it didn’t seem to affect the flavor. I deboned the pork and shredded with my fingers it was so tender. I chose to blend up the remaining liquid and onion into a sauce to make it creamier even though the recipe didn’t specify…

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And then mixed in the sauce into my shredded pork…

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I served mine with leftover corn and mashed potatoes from the fridge. But it would also be excellent over rice or even on a bun for a sandwich.

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I LOVED this recipe mostly because I love PB. I could detect the tang of vinegar, little hints of brown sugar, and lots of peanut goodness. The hubs could take it or leave it, he wanted it to be spicier. (He also didn’t enjoy smelling PB all day either.) Such is the eternal struggle in our household, sigh.

This is another Pinterest success that I think will remain in my crock pot arsenal!

Stashbustin’

I have a yarn stash problem……

Between great sales and coupons and then impulse purchases, I have A LOT of yarn. I need to work through it. My goal for 2013 is to bust my stash down to size. I need to choose a project for skeins in my stash or donate to a worthy cause!

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I’m almost done with one stash project, a One Row Blanket de la Harlot! It used up four skeins of Caron Simply Soft and is destined for a new momma and baby in the spring.

Feels good to knit for people I care about AND bust down my stash. Here’s to hoping I can stick to the plan!!!

Happy Knitting!

All things can wait, at least for a little bit

Craft fair went surprisingly well! I doubled my sales from the same event last year. I need to trust my knitting skills and salesmanship I guess!

Today…..well, it got away from me. I managed a little cleaning, laundry, and dog walking. But mostly I snuggled and loved a precious 4 week old baby. She is so precious and teeny. Her face has a thousand expressions but her brain has a one track mind for milk, lol.

I couldn’t help but stare at her face as she slept. All I could think how perfect she is. No thoughts of knitting or schedules or dinner or cleaning……just sweet baby smells and dreamy sleep. All things can wait for babies for they don’t keep forever. They grow and change before you are ready.

So for today I sit and enjoy a lazy sunday with baby and good conversation with friends. Tomorrow is for work and responsibility…..today is for peace and innocence.

Sweet Dreams!!