Back to the Grind

Well, hello again! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Mine was very enjoyable- I loved all the time I spent with family. Yesterday evening was a rough one knowing that everything would start up again today.

I did have plans to blog while I was on break, but those plans were overlooked (guess I was too busy playing with my nieces who were in from North Dakota). Nevertheless, I am back and have big plans for the week! See you again soon!

All is Calm...


I know many of you are wondering what happened with the giant beast of a tree that was trying to consume our living room. Well, the beast lives. It lives, but was tamed.

What was once this:



Is now this:



And the fact that I am officially 'ready to roll' a day and a half before Christmas is a Christmas miracle in itself.


'Twas the Fight Before Christmas...

I really wanted to get a tree up, but it in the past few weeks, it has been more than challenging to find a couple free hours to go and get one. So there we were, less than a week before Christmas... I just told Joe to grab one on his way home from work.


Last night it made it into the house.


I think its too big....


Joe thinks it's "awesome"....




Opinions?

Sweet Goodness

Today I want to share a recipe that has become a little holiday tradition at our house. We call it sweet goodness, but you might know it by cracker toffee. Either way, it's magnificent.

Here's what you'll need:
  • Club Crackers
  • 2 sticks of Butter
  • 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Chopped Pecans(optional)
Preheat oven to 375°.

Line cookie sheet with tin foil and line crackers on sheet:

Melt butter, add brown sugar and baking soda, stir until mixed.

Pour butter mixture over crackers and bake for 8 minutes.

Remove from oven and pour on chocolate chips and nuts. I always like to choose a variety of chocolate chips(white, semi-sweet, swirl, etc) to add more visual interest:

Let stand for 2 minutes, place in refrigerator for 3 hours.


Break into pieces and serve...or eat it all yourself, you decide!

Yarn and U-Turns


Just a quick post to let local knitters and fiber enthusiasts know about a more than amazing sale I stumbled upon last week. When working in Grosse Pointe on Thursday, I noticed a new shop on Mack Ave. The Grosse Pointe area has a lot to offer, but when I'm at work, it takes a lot for me to stop.

On Thursday, it couldn't have been a better situation. It was lunch time, I spotted a blue awning with the "The Knotted Needle" across the center, and my next appointment was across the street and still a half hour away. When I saw the the word 'Knitting' accompanied the shop name, how could I not then perform a (totally legal, I'm sure) u-turn?!

The store is just lovely, they just reopened about a month ago. They moved the shop, but not far; just next door from where they were before in order to gain more space. The shop is open and airy, with yarns(and needlepoint supplies) abounding.

Here's the real kicker... they are having a sale that runs until Thursday(December 24th). Many of their yarns are buy one get on FREE! Can you even believe it? I don't know the whole list, but many yarns were included. So while there's a few more days left, make sure you stop by The Knotted Needle in Grosse Pointe. I bought a bag full of yarn last week, but I decided I need to go back and get more...I will be there later this week to stock up. Forget stash busting, it's Christmas...time for stash building!