Lazy Weekend

I love weekends without any plans! Aren't they the best? No reason to get out of my PJs, I can catch up on my tivo'd shows, make rice crispy treats, watch movies on Netflix, take random cat naps, read, and knit! Here's a glimpse at the projects I've been working on. I seem to be inspired by green this week.

Mary Jane Skimmers for a slipper swap - I really like this pattern, I think they would make great gifts!

I practiced my cables and learned the moss stitch for my section on a travelling scarf.

And made this for my friend Ashley. She lives in New York - now her ears will be warm and toasty!

I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend.

Vday & Baby Crochet

Happy almost Friday! Just thought I'd share some of my recent projects with you as well as how I spent my Valentine's day.

On Valentine's day, my husband woke up early and surprised me with Starbucks and 2 sets of beautiful flowers! He said he couldn't decide which he liked better - so he got both! After breakfast we went on a 3 mile hike with Izzie through nearby trails & Corriganville (where old Western movies were filmed). The weather was perfect. After we got back and relaxed for a bit, we went and had lunch at Natural cafe and then saw the movie Dear John. Only for Valentine's day could I drag him to see such a chick flick. I'll be honest, it wasn't as good as The Notebook, but still worth seeing on DVD. The leading man, Channing Tatum = beautiful! We had plans to cook a really nice dinner at home, but then got lazy and didn't feel like cooking. Instead, we visited with the newlyweds Jonathan & Sarah (from the WA wedding), saw their new condo, and ate her home made pizza for dinner - yum! I really enjoyed the day and spending time with my hubby.

Now onto my projects! I've been working on a custom order Baby Sweater & matching Hello Kitty hat for a gal at my church. I felt like she needed some matching booties too, so I made her a pair of Mary Janes as my gift to her. (Here's a link to the Ravelry patterns in case you're interested: Sweater, Booties. )

I can't wait to see her in it - I think she will look absolutely adorable!

So Close.

Today I got home from work to find a note on my door telling me I have a certified letter to pick up at the post office. Eager to find out what it was, I got right back in the car with Izzie and flew on over. I know that acceptance letters for the nursing program are being mailed out in March, but I was desperately hoping for some good news. After waiting almost 20 minutes in line, I got my letter. It was from Moorpark College! I quickly tore open the envelope and read that I am accepted as an alternate for the fall semester. Not exactly what I'd hoped for, but I'll take it! As an alternate I must attend all the meetings and have all my paperwork (drug test, background check, first aide & CPR cards etc) in order, but I'm not guaranteed a spot. They say to be flexible in case someone drops out, I could be accepted up to the day before the semester starts! Geez - what do I tell my work? I was hoping for some definitive plans, but at least this is progress!! If I don't get in for Fall, I will for sure be in for the Spring. In the meantime, I'm secretly hoping ladies will get pregnant and drop out, or just drop out for any ol'reason at all! =D

Swappity Swaps + New 'do

Today I got a fantastic swap package in the mail! My new mitts are black and with cables, just what I wanted!

Here are all the rest of the fun goodies. I love love love it!

And Izzie got a new toy that she played with right away!

I also just photographed the yarn and mitts I got in the hat swap package last week:

Can't wait to play with this yarn

And for a little bit of Monday randomness, a photo of my new 'do... darker, layered and straightened.

Happy Monday!

Sweet Goodies

Last week was rainy and therefor I caught the baking bug. I had never made shortbread cookies before and they were seriously the simplest things I've ever baked... and so so so so good! The best thing about them is that I had all the ingredients already in my pantry! No trip to the grocery store needed! Would you like the recipe?

Simple (and delicious!) Shortbread Cookies

2 sticks of unsalted butter (sounds like a lot but is SO worth it!)

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2 cups flour

1 1/4 tsp salt

Simply whip the butter with an electric mixer, slowly add the sugar and mix for about 4 minutes, or until white & fluffy. Then, add the flour and salt mixture all at once and mix until just combined. Using saran wrap, press the dough into a circular pan (I used a spring-form pan for easy removal). Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. After refrigeration, cut out a center circle about an inch in diameter (I used the lip of a sake cup), and slice the dough into triangular pieces. Using a toothpick, or any pointed object, randomly poke the shortbread dough about 1/4 inch apart. Bake for about an hour or until golden brown. Eat & enjoy!

The other batch I made were Chocolate Sugar Cookies. I thought they were just okay and much preferred the shortbreads.

Newest Crafty Goodies

First up, a cabled knit hat for an Etsy sale. I love the hot pink color!

Next up, this crochet hooded scarflette. Justed listed it on my Etsy shop! You can see it here.

I also received a hat swap package! My swap partner knit me up a hat I've been eying for quite some time. The Felicity knit hat! The yarn is so incredibly soft! I wore it to work the very next day after getting it in the mail. The package also included an awesome skein of yarn and pair of fingerless mitts that she knit for me! I feel so spoiled =D

Washington/Jonathan's Wedding

A weekend in pictures...

On the scenic road from Seattle to Sequim, our first stop was at one of the many espresso shops along the highway. We thought this one was especially cute in pink =D

And for all you closet Twilight fans out there, here are some pictures in Port Angeles. It was only a quick stop while Brandon picked up his tux for the wedding.

During the wedding rehearsal I noticed a farm nearby with a ton of llamas. There was a great big sign nearby that read "Private Property, No Trespassing" so we went in anyway but kept our distance while watching the animals, since they do spit! After some time we went back to the rehearsal area and continued to wait for the bride and groom to arrive. About 5 minutes later, here comes this old man with a bright orange (crochet) beanie, dungarees, puff vest and treat bag on his side. I thought he was going to get angry with us for going on his property, but he ended up being such a nice old man! He brought us back over to feed his llamas and told us all about them. It turns out that the way llamas greet you and decide if they like you is by sniffing your nose. It was slightly awkward to stand there and let these animals sniff my face. He even taught them how to give kisses for treats! After going through the treats he brought with him, he took us down through his barn and we got to feed them dinner too. This was definitely one of the highlights of my weekend.

On the day of the wedding, my in-laws and I decorated the Wedding Chapel as the bridal party took pictures. I think we did a damn good job with the supplies we were given(2 dozen roses, ivy, tulle and some seat hooks).

Jonathan & Sarah's Wedding. Note: they used the glasses I ordered for them on Etsy! =D

The next day, on our way back to Seattle, I stopped to take some scenic pictures.

We only had two hours to spend in Seattle before taking our flight back home. I would love to go back and stay in the city! We just barely skimmed the surface. I love Pikes Market Place & wish we had something like it nearby! I scored some deliciously fresh Chevre goat cheese and Raspberry Jalepeno Jelly! (amazing together on a cracker!)

Oh, and I was good about staying on track with the couch to 5K running plan, even away from home. There wasn't a treadmill in the hotel, so I went outside and ran in the rain!

Checkout this fantastic view from the airplane:

Hope you all are having a wonderful Monday!