April Fools!

Someone seems to be playing an April Fools trick on us. I checked the weather forecast before I went to bed last night and it said there was a possibility of up to 1 cm of snow. POSSIBILITY. We woke up this morning to over 8" of the fluffy white stuff. The boys, who were playing outside just yesterday in their spring jackets, were excited about the weather change. I. WAS. NOT.

We live in an area that gets Chinooks so, although we get snow throughout the winter it generally melts every few weeks. Not so this winter. We have had snow sitting in our yard since November. I thought yesterday, being 12 C, might have been the end of it since the few remaining drifts were disappearing quite quickly, nope! So, here I am, sitting in my little snow globe, waiting for spring! Hopefully it will all have melted by Easter!

Sweet or Salty?

Both! I wasn't sure how these would turn out but I figured I'd try it out and it turns out my husband and kids loved them! They were both sweet and salty, but not as salty as I thought they might be. I admit I was a little afraid to try them, I mean, who's ever heard of potato chips in a cookie? I waited to try them until after my husband deemed them okay!

Potato Chip Cookies

2 c. flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 c crushed potato chips (I used regular ripple chips)

Whisk together flour and baking soda. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Stir dry ingredients into butter mixture. Stir in crushed potato chips.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto parchment lined baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes at 350.

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container.

My Peanut

I'm not sure why I call her that...our oldest son is allergic to peanuts so we don't even have any in the house, except for her! I started this sweater around a year ago while I was pregnant with her. I was convinced I was having a girl, so I started knitting this girly sweater, then, for some reason that I'm not quite sure of anymore, I stopped. All that was left to finish were the sleeves, which are so small I had them done in a morning, and I'm so glad that I got them done, if I had waited too much longer she wouldn't have been able to wear this. I'm so happy with this little cardigan, it seems to suit her personality! The pattern, (tulip) and yarn are both from Dream in Color Yarn. This was my first time using this yarn, and I am a huge fan! My husband bought me some Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn for Christmas and I'm getting excited to pull it out to knit up some socks.

Thinking about peanuts is making me crave peanut butter cookies....

Spring Forward

I started these socks while we were on our way to Florida. I finished the first one in less than a week. I started the second one while we were still there, then we came home and our kids took turns getting sick. It was a flu that seemed to bounce around between the kids and my husband. I was running ragged trying to nurse everyone back to health, and it seemed like everyone was better, then they all got colds. After everyone else got better it hit me. Yuck!

So the socks ended up sitting for about a month until I was able to pick them up again, so I was finally able to finish the socks! Spring Forward is a pattern from Linda Welch that is found on Knitty. I knit them with indigo from Avery Allison yarn.

The name of them gives me hope, hope that spring may soon be on it's way. We've had another blast of winter here in Alberta, yesterday was a snow day, schools were closed, many people stayed home from work, those who went in probably shouldn't have. Here is a picture my husband took on his way into the office. Zero visibility.

Warmer weather is sure to come...right?

Long time...

Well, it's definitely been a long time! I've been busy. We spent 2 weeks in Florida in January so my husband could do the Walt Disney World goofy challenge which is a half marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday. The crazy thing about it is he didn't train, at all. I think he'd ran once in the 6 weeks before the race. I wish I could do that, not have to train and just be able to head out and run 26 miles in 4 hours. Our boys loved Disney World! They are at a great age to go, they get so excited about everything that just being there is enough for them. We don't have to try to get on every ride there is, as long as we hit a few of them they're happy!

I finished all of my Christmas knitting! Woohoo!!! My kids all had their own knitted stockings. I made my husband a pair of socks, and a knitted cycling cap. He wrote a great post about the socks that I made him. It feels so good when you make something for someone who really appreciates it! These were made from my own handspun merino with a reinforced toe and heel (since I know how hard he is on socks!). I found a bicycle chart here that I used to add the bike to the top of the socks.

Secret

This is a Christmas secret is from my handspun, although the pictures are not very clear (on purpose!) I know the intended recipient will love it!

I have been a little worried lately after hearing that my LYS is going to be sold as the owners are moving... I love the atmosphere there, and the comfy couches that are always available to sit down and knit on. (I talked to my husband about wanting to buy it, but with 3 little kids running around I think it may not have been the greatest idea!) To my surprise they've already found a (possible) buyer who will, hopefully, keep everything the same. I'm still a little concerned it could turn into one of those cluttered little get in and get out places, but hopefully not!

Cake Topper

It's been quite some time since I've done any modeling work (for cakes!). I put this one together for a friend's baby shower, and I'm fairly happy with it, although I think I need to get into practice again if I'm going to be doing any more! Sorry for the crummy photo, but I was running out of light and wanting to take the picture already!!