D is for

Dogs.

I just can't imagine life without them. Wherever I go, they go. They're my little entourage.

Introducing...

Old man Ruger. He's the best damn dog ever.

Grizz and Sadie.

and Fatboy (can you even?) He's Ashley's so I guess that makes him our granddog. :)

for today

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

-Mary Jean Iron

Thanks Ali

does knitting one sock make me a sock knitter?

I'm going to say YES IT DOES!

Look at this people - I knit a sock! My first sock. How cool is this?

Look at that heel flap. Superb!

And those toe decreases. Magic!
It's not perfect. Only Allah is (tongue planted firmly in cheek). :) But it -is- DONE.

Now to cast on the other one...

click any image for full-sized vewing

C is for

Cooking.

I love to cook.

This maybe isn't the best photo to share as there was no cooking involved here with these fruit kabobs with yummy marshmallow fluff dippy sauce. But this was the first picture I came across. And I did enjoy making these.

Bits of fresh strawberries, bananas, cantaloupe, grapes, blackberries, pineapple and starfruit layered on a skewer. That's it.

The dippy sauce is the real star here:

1 jar of marshmallow fluff combined with a brick of cream cheese and some freshly ground nutmeg. And wire cutters. Evidently they are an essential tool when making fruit kabobs.

:)

I sometimes say if you can read, you can cook but maybe there's more to it than that.

I'm a good cook. It's something I really enjoy. From start to finish.

I love selecting the perfect recipe, hunting down fresh ingredients and watching the whole thing come together. The best part is watching everyone enjoy the dish I've created. I do get self satisfaction out of the whole process but for me, it's all in the sharing.

It's that whole food = love thing, I'm sure.

Now go make something yummy.

email and merlot don't mix

My mom actually sent me this figurine. She's a funny one. Turns out they DO mix! Any time you have something to say, drink some merlot and SAY IT! hehe

It's the eve of my 39th (for the first time) birthday and I'm sitting home alone feeling rather silly, drinking and karaoking by myself. Now those are two things that don't mix - karaoke and merlot. hehe

But email - that I can do. Good thing ya'll can't see all the back spacing I'm doing here. heh

I've been slacking on my emailing this week. If you were expecting to hear from me, sorry for the silence. I've been swamped taking care of puppies, sewing an apron, knitting a sock and all things domestic.

Do you know I wanted to be a wife and mother when I grew up? Ashley said I should have aimed higher. I'm thinking she's right. Any monkey can scrub a toilet.

Nothing like a birthday to make you ponder things.

Blogging and merlot definitely don't mix.

*hic*

:)

nighty night...

this could break the internet

This is one of the puppies Ashley's been house sitting with.

They've been here most of this whole last week because of her new job and I'm about done.

Don't be deceived by her cuteness - she's a pooping machine, that one.

She has, however, stolen my heart.

Don't worry. I'll get it back when she leaves.

But to those who say money can't buy happiness?

You, my friend, forgot about puppies.

click on my Picasa album for more cuteness.

B is for Baby

My cousin Cristi (who I love like a sister) called me yesterday.

She's a grandma! My cousin Timmy, is a daddy.

I'm filled with love and pride today.

Babies.

There's just nothing better is there?

"Babies are bits of stardust blown down from the hand of God. Lucky the woman who knows the pangs of bith for she has held a star." - Larry Barretto

sock it to me baby!

As you can see, I've been a -little- busy here.

I decided to give the old sock thing another try. Some day I'll share the fate of my very first sock attempt but today, the pain is just too raw. I'm kidding only a little.

With the help of muh nittas, Cami and Rhonda (not to mention help from the Harlot and knittinghelp.com) I think I'm actually knitting a sock.

I'm. KNITTING. a. SOCK!

Cami said it so perfectly. It's like a little miracle. I'm taking two (or in this case four) sticks and some string and I'm making something three dimensional. A wearable. A sock.

It's nuts, I tell you!

A - Z of me

Got the idea from Vickie.

Thought it'd be a good way to pass the blogging hours when no craftiness is to be found.

A is for:

Ashley, of course.

Firstborn and a good mix between the bane of my existence and my heart.

Keeps me on my toes, that one.

Apron Along

Cami and I schemed up a sewing class. Come and join the fun!

It's an apron - along. :)From Amy Butler's In Stitches
She's a basket case (Cami, not Amy Butler *g*). I keep assuring her everything will be just fine.
We compliment each other nicely.

If I were any more laid back they'd throw dirt on me, as my brother, Russ always says. :)

She gets the Xanax and I get to keep assuring her everything will be just fine.
Wanna sew an apron?

me, me, meme...

from Desert Diva meme-o-licious!

• Hi, my name is: Melissa


• But you can call me: melly


• Never in my life have I: bungee jumped


• When I’m nervous I: chew the inside corner of my lip


• The last song I listened to was: something by Sugarland


• If I were to get married right now it would be to: a polygamist, evidently, cause I'm already married! -lol-


• My hair is: in need of a cut and dye job


• When I was 4: my parents divorced. I haven't seen my biological father since


• Last Christmas: we were so glad to have Ken home for a few days in one stretch. he was travelling to Indianapolis each week for work


• I should be: cleaning something


• When I look down I see: my scrap paper bag


• The happiest recent event was: seeing Ashley's ex, Mike looking so good


• If I were a character on ‘Friends’: I'd be Rachel. Skinny and beautiful


• By this time next year: I hope to have had some sort of wonderful vacation


• My current distress is: legal matters


• I have a hard time understanding: politics


• There’s these girls: I watch on TV - Sex and the City? I want to live in that world. Cosmopolitans and New York City!


• If I won an award, the first person I would tell: Ken


• I want to buy: YARN!


• I plan on visiting: California sometime soon!


• If I could spend the night at anyone’s house it would it be at: Cristi's. (see above)


• The world could do without: cell phones


• Most recent thing I’ve bought myself: YARN


• Most recent thing someone else bought me: Ken bought me a glorious book by Amy Butler


• My middle name is: Gail


• In the morning I: sneeze currently. Allergy season is upon us


• Last night I was: knitting


• There’s this guy I know who: isn't being very nice to his wife. I wish I could kick his ass into gear.


• If I were an animal I’d be a: bald eagle


• A better name for me would be: HRH (her royal highness)


• Tomorrow I am: staying home


• Tonight I am: knitting and watching Weeds on Showtime.

MACARONI GRILL BREAD

OMG this bread is fan-FREAKIN'-tastic!

I made chicken noodle soup for a sick friend and took some of this yummy bread over, still rising. I hope she enjoyed it as much as we did!

I over cooked it slightly - it was super crunchy. Ken liked that part best.

TASTEE!

Macaroni Grill Bread

• 1 tbsp. dry yeast
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
• 2 1/2 cup white flour, divided use
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary, divided use
• 1 tbsp. canola oil, peanut oil or olive oil
• nonstick cooking spray
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted

Place yeast, sugar, and warm water in large bowl or food processor and allow mixture to become bubbly.

Mix in 2 cups of flour and the salt. Add one tablespoon of the fresh chopped rosemary.

Knead for about 10 minutes by hand or in food processor about 30 seconds until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if necessary.

Oil a bowl, put dough in it and cover with a towel. Let dough rise in a warm place for one hour until doubled.

Punch down dough and divide in half. Let dough rest about 5-10 minutes.

Spray baking pan or cookie sheet with cooking spray.

Shape the dough into 2 small rounded oval loaves. Melt margarine or butter. Brush over the top of the loaves. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tablespoon of rosemary over the loaves and press lightly into the surface. Let loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Lightly sprinkle course salt over the loaves. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.

This makes 2 loaves.

http://www.recipelink.com/msgid/142619

entering a give away

I may try this myself someday when I get popular. :)

Teamouse is giving away FIVE knitted dishcloths!

Surf over to TeaTime Ramblings and enter yourself!

Love me some free knits.