Pretty and not so pretty

What did I do on my Christmas break? Well we had Christmas on Friday the 26th instead of Christmas day so I convinced my husband to start the dining room. . . .not so pretty underneath all that wallpaper though. . . .

This house was built in 1907 and this could very well be some of the original plaster walls for all I know. . .its dry and patched . ..everywhere!

I keep telling myself that it is like a big craft project. . .its fun . . . . really! It can only get better . . . . . .and before that . . . .it has to get worse to get better.

So needless to say . . .this is no weekend project. Joel is going to skim coat this week and hopefully next weekend we can paint.

If the skim coat doesn't work out we can always use the paintable wallpaper.

At least the friggin' flowers are gone!

On another note. . .the Cambridge vest is coming out great. . .I am actually on the front now. .and the yarn is such a treasure to knit with. Feels so nice!


I also finished Twilight this weekend. . .what an amazing book. . .I couldn't put it down. . .I read 300 pages this weekend! Highly recommended. . .if you love Harry Potter. . .you will love this series. Joel and I also went to see Marley and Me. . we both read the book and couldn't wait to see the movie. I am of course a huge Jennifer Aniston fan and wouldn't pass it up for a second. Be prepared to cry though. . but a good cry. . .I use to never cry at movies. . .we both left with puffy eyes and Barley spent the night snuggled in between us. How could you not love that face.

Embossed leaves socks and the cambridge vest. . .

I finally finished the embossed leaves socks from interweave knits last night and got to have photos taken with my new toy. . .yes. . . Santa came early at my house. . he always seems to and brought me a Canon rebel . . .amazing!

I have wanted a new camera for the last six months since mine has been unable to capture those crisp images that I want for my knitting. It really is a great camera and I got a great deal at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/589048-REG/Canon__EOS_Rebel_XSi_a_k_a_.html#reviews. A very good friend of mine recommended this site and it really is the best!

Now the next plan is to take a photography class. . .now I know I can point and shoot a camera but understanding lighting and shutter speed. . .way above my head but I know I can learn.

Joel loves it. . .he couldn't put it down all evening long and he knows his stuff with photography. . his grandfather was an amazing photographer and Joel is the same way. His composition is just spectacular. Some of his nature shots just amaze me. So this camera will be perfect for him also.

So with the embossed leaves complete. . .now on to the Cambridge Vest in Rowan Baby Alpaca dk that I purchased at webs when I went to visit Julie in CT a few weeks ago. I got an amazing deal of it because they are discontinuing the yarn. Normally 11.95 a skein . . .try 8.00. . .ya. . exactly. It is fabulous. . .it feels so nice on the needles and knitting every stitch is a dream.

Our dining room table will be here in 3 weeks so we will be decorating the dining room next weekend during xmas break. Can you say good bye to this. . . . . .

I am just sooooo not about flowers. . .yuck. We will be painting it a earthy red and pull up the carpet (nice hardwood underneath) and adding a country style table and chairs. . . it is going to get great.

Christmas Cards

Finishing up Christmas cards this weekend. . . 45 cards in all. Whew! It's a lot of work let me tell you. . .first coming up with the design and then actually making them.

I really like how they came out. Took me forever do decide on whether to do something with snowflakes or the new mitten stamp I just got from Stampin Up. I also go to use some gems that I purchased forever ago which have been sitting in my eyelet and brad tackle box.

Now hopefully everyone likes them. . .or at least appreciates how much work goes into them.

Yarn shop in Rutland and home renovations begin. . .

Well it has been a while since I have blogged anything, we moved into our home, unpacked for the most part and have started renovations. . .well just painting but it is a lot of work and time! We started with the biggest room of the house (the living room) which is 13ft by 24ft. The wall paper wasn't bad but we thought we would get the largest room out of the way.

See this isn't really bad wallpaper. . .wait until I show you photos of the dining room . . .ick!

One layer of wallpaper off. . .then steam the second and you have sealed plaster walls. . .(at least they are sealed!). This house was built in 1907 so it still has the original plaster walls.

We chose to paint the walls. . .I really hate wallpaper. . .it just isn't me. We also chose a earthy green tea color that I just love! Joel likes it to!

And even more exciting news! Rutland has a yarn shop! Friends of mine opened Green Mountain Fibers last weekend and it is just fabulous! I am working some Saturdays there and handling their bookkeeping for them. It is an excellent space so check it out!

Before I can post any knitting. . .I need to take some photos. . .I have finished a scarf, a sweater, a hat, and I am almost done with a pair of socks. . . .see I have been really busy!

Taking a break. . . . .

Isn't he handsome!

Well . . .we finally took a break from packing and the stress of moving today. . . and just went apple picking. Not the best day for apple picking, but it was a wonderful and much needed break.

We went to Douglas apple orchard in addison, picked some mac's, ate cider doughnuts, and took a wagon ride around the orchard.

We also had time to get some shots of the sweater I finished for Joel . . .um . . .last month before moving took over all my free time. The sweater is the cobblestone sweater from interweave knits by Jared Flood. A great mindless project.

It is knit in Queensland Kathmandu DK which is close to Jo Sharp silk road tweed but less expensive.

On the house front, we are about a week away from phyically moving in!!! Yippee!! Thank goodness too. . we can barely see the tv around all the boxes and we just might lose the dog soon!

Finally moving. . .be back soon:)

It's finally happening!!!!. . .we will be closing on October 15th. . .lots to do . . .be back soon!

HAPPY AUGUST!

Maple Walnut Applesauce Cake

Maple Walnut Applesauce Cake

Dairy-Free, Vegetarian
This moist whole grain cake is great served topped with applesauce, almond butter or plain. Pair with eggs or scrambled tofu and turkey or tempeh sausage for a delicious breakfast cake.
Serves 12
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup high-heat safflower oil
3/4 cup maple syrup
2 large eggs
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9-inch square cake pan.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In large bowl, whisk together oil and maple syrup. Whisk in eggs until combined. Whisk in applesauce and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and whisk, beating well for 3 minutes. Stir in walnuts.
Scrape batter into prepared cake pan. Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a rack before cutting into squares.
Nutrition Info
Per serving (75g-wt.): 200 calories (80 from fat), 9g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 4g protein, 28g total carbohydrate (2g dietary fiber, 14g sugar), 35mg cholesterol, 220mg sodium

Pretty good if I don't say so myself. . .once again from the wholefoods website. . .very easy to make. . .took no time at all really. I spent most of the day at Lake St. Catherine visiting some friends and then came home and quickly put this in the oven . . . .so I could watch last nights swimming Olympics. . .Mike Phelps is just amazing. . .I think he has gills. . .:)

Organic Baby Sweater

Started this on Saturday last weekend after shopping with Rita-roo in Middlebury. This is by O-Wool, Organic cotton and merino wool. . .knits beautifully and I think I am going to use it for Rita's baby sweater. This one is for her friend Hannah. This is pre-buttons and pre-blocked. . .need to take a trip to the yarn store to find the right buttons. . .very cute. . .love the colors. . .great job picking the colors Rita-roo.

Good news possibly on the house front. . .she is looking into moving in with a friend so that we can close on the house! So we are keeping our fingers and toes crossed! We need to get in by 6/30/09 to take advantage of the tax credit for first time home buyers that was passed recently for the 2008 tax year.

Also, I cut my hair off. . .finished the jasmine sweater. . .maybe this week I can get a picture taken. . .last week was way too busy.

Sheryl Crow Concert

Was spectacular . . . .really great to see her again and James Blunt this time. Came straight home and downloaded her new CD detours. . .even Joel can't stop listening to the "Love is free" song. . . . it has such a happy sound. Barley likes to bounce and dance to it too!

This was at the entrance before they made me take my camera back to the car (Amanda, Joel and Katie). . .I was so not happy about that. . I had it the last time and what is the difference between a camera and a cell phone these days. . .hello? We had lawn seats. . .seriously?

Been Busy!!!!!!

Lets see. . last week. . .baked a second carrot cake for Tom at work.. . . . which came out great once again. I miss baking. . .I so need more room. Decorated it exactly the way I did Joel's except it had a little accident on the way to work. . .but luckily after years of experience baking cakes with my mom. . .I brought extra frosting to patch it right up.

Silly me tried to put it in the car with my purse on my shoulder. . .came right off my shoulder full force into the side of the cake . . . .whoops :( Fixed it right up. . nobody noticed anything.. .although I don't know if cream cheese frosting is good for leather?. . .it is extra shiny in that spot.

Then. . big day Monday. . .I got my braces off!!!!! Finally after 3 years of treatment for my TMJ. . .I am done! I am sooooooo happy! It has been such a long process. I am finally pain free and like my smile! I had lots of popcorn and gum and popcorn and gum!

Although the week was filled with excitement and way to much work. . .I did have a really relaxing weekend. . . .

My sunflowers are up! Someone who loves me planted them for me!

Yep. . .that would be him!

Barley enjoying the front on the canoe on Glen Lake.

And the lily pads. . .she seems to think it is game to see how many she can grab and bring into the canoe on the way by. . . .but the worst was the dead snail she caught that was floating on the surface. . she bit it to it and that was all we could smell for hours! Lets just say . . . no Barley kisses for a while. .yuck!

Love this photo. . she is getting so grown up!

A Healthy Happy Birthday!

Joel had a healthy happy birthday cake this year. He turned 33 on Friday and for his birthday I have two choices for a cake.

1. Carrot cake
2. Cherry cheese cake.

I decided on carrot cake this year and went for a "from scratch and totally organic"!

After searching online I found a long list of great recipes off the whole foods website. They really have some outstanding dishes! Check it out if you have a chance.

We had a barbecue and our friend Mark's house with my in-laws and some friends from town. Food was great and there was not much left of my cake. . .even though there was another store bought cake there. . . .from scratch still proves to be the best!

Today I am baking another one for work since Friday was also one of the partners birthdays. . .so I am back at it again. . .starting to realize how much I miss baking. . I haven't done much since we moved into this apartment several years ago. The kitchen is sooooooo tiny and I have two tiny spaces of counter to work on . . .I just can't move which drives me nuts. I just can't wait until we close on our house and I have room to move again! (which there still is no change in. . .she is still next on the waiting list for the retirement home . . .poor thing. . she is as anxious as we are).

Weekend Crafting

Knitting News:

Jasmine. . . . the back is complete !!!!! Finally . . . .that is a lot of stockinette stitch. . zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. . .ya I am awake. . I was going crazy just to get to the gosh darn garter stitch. . .at some point I may need to go back to the kauni or start something else. . .throw me a cable here?

Scrapping News:

It has been a while but I actually got to scrapbook this weekend at Jeanean's house with my good friend Rita-roo. . .we have been planning for months to get together but out schedules are all over the place. I can't wait to hang out in your new craft room Rita-roo! :) Some day I will have mine too and maybe we can do a "host one Saturday a month" and flip-flop.

I am also glad that I now have a color to work with. . . I am digging through patterns and trying to decide what to knit . . .but I have til November. . I got time. Baby sweaters are quick:)

Spinning News:

Finished the peacock roving this weekend and then got to start on local wool. This is wool from a local Poultney sheep that was given to me as fleece. I took it to Rhinebeck this fall for processing and have tons in my stash. I have several rovings in white, gray, and brown. The plan is to spin thin and ply . . . .I think I will experiment with two colors together.