I've changed my mind. No, not about sock knitting; I've changed my mind about what button to use for my last purse! I bought an amazing sterling silver heart clasp when I was in St. Louis and decided to try it on my Sophie bag. It's perfect.
As far as sock knitting goes, I am still determined to give it my best shot. I nervously wound my skein of Speed Demon Yarn into two balls yesterday; unpacked my new circular needles; studied my Socks Soar On 2 Circular Needles book and then... CAST ON!! And so far it is going pretty well.
Here it is shortly after starting...
And here is where I am now... It is really starting to take shape!! I have a few more rows to knit before I start 'turning the heel' and then 'picking up the Gusset Stitches' (whatever that is.....) One step at a time, I keep telling myself. I may need to throw out a life line... but for now I seem to be doing ok!!
One thing I LOVE about knitting is that it is a great form of stress relief. It is very calming to curl up in my comfy chair; pick up my knitting and just take a few moments out of a sometimes chaotic day. Ice Age 1 and 2 are also a great form of stress relief. When Steve and I need a little break and to have a good laugh, we turn to Sid the Sloth (and his side kicks Manny and Diego). We watched the Meltdown Friday night and the original Saturday night. Gotta love Sid!! (And of course Scrat!!)
Kirstin has another Blood Drive that she is organizing for this coming Saturday. Aaron is coming home from Iowa State (yippee!) to support her and to watch the Super Bowl with his favorite mom! (Right, Aaron???) He's bringing his roommate Kevin, and says he has already 'warned him' about us. Hmmmm, what does that mean??? Anyways, with all that is going on, I will be mixing up a double batch of Monster Cookies. I realized that I have mentioned them several times, but never shared the recipe. Here it is. I've been making these for years and years. They are a staple at our house and a real crowd pleaser.
Monster Cookies
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 pound (2 1/4 cups) brown sugar
1 1/2 pounds Skippy* creamy peanut butter
6 eggs
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
4 teaspoons baking soda
10 cups regular oatmeal
1 pound M&M’s candies
12 ounces chocolate chips
1. Combine first 7 ingredients.
2. Mix very well.
3. Add M&M’s and chocolate chips.
4. Add oatmeal 1 cup at a time.
5. Store in refrigerator for several hours.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, depending on size of the cookie.
7. Dough freezes well and keeps well in refrigerator.
Note: I found Skippy to be the peanut butter of choice. Others seem to have too much oil.
Sumo looked so sad today laying by the door looking out. It's just way too cold outside.
(15 degrees below 0 with the windchill!!)
I gave him a really good tummy rub and I think that helped.
Until next time......
As far as sock knitting goes, I am still determined to give it my best shot. I nervously wound my skein of Speed Demon Yarn into two balls yesterday; unpacked my new circular needles; studied my Socks Soar On 2 Circular Needles book and then... CAST ON!! And so far it is going pretty well.
Here it is shortly after starting...
And here is where I am now... It is really starting to take shape!! I have a few more rows to knit before I start 'turning the heel' and then 'picking up the Gusset Stitches' (whatever that is.....) One step at a time, I keep telling myself. I may need to throw out a life line... but for now I seem to be doing ok!!
One thing I LOVE about knitting is that it is a great form of stress relief. It is very calming to curl up in my comfy chair; pick up my knitting and just take a few moments out of a sometimes chaotic day. Ice Age 1 and 2 are also a great form of stress relief. When Steve and I need a little break and to have a good laugh, we turn to Sid the Sloth (and his side kicks Manny and Diego). We watched the Meltdown Friday night and the original Saturday night. Gotta love Sid!! (And of course Scrat!!)
Kirstin has another Blood Drive that she is organizing for this coming Saturday. Aaron is coming home from Iowa State (yippee!) to support her and to watch the Super Bowl with his favorite mom! (Right, Aaron???) He's bringing his roommate Kevin, and says he has already 'warned him' about us. Hmmmm, what does that mean??? Anyways, with all that is going on, I will be mixing up a double batch of Monster Cookies. I realized that I have mentioned them several times, but never shared the recipe. Here it is. I've been making these for years and years. They are a staple at our house and a real crowd pleaser.
Monster Cookies
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 pound (2 1/4 cups) brown sugar
1 1/2 pounds Skippy* creamy peanut butter
6 eggs
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
4 teaspoons baking soda
10 cups regular oatmeal
1 pound M&M’s candies
12 ounces chocolate chips
1. Combine first 7 ingredients.
2. Mix very well.
3. Add M&M’s and chocolate chips.
4. Add oatmeal 1 cup at a time.
5. Store in refrigerator for several hours.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, depending on size of the cookie.
7. Dough freezes well and keeps well in refrigerator.
Note: I found Skippy to be the peanut butter of choice. Others seem to have too much oil.
Sumo looked so sad today laying by the door looking out. It's just way too cold outside.(15 degrees below 0 with the windchill!!)
I gave him a really good tummy rub and I think that helped.
Until next time......
17 comments:
Your sock is coming along fabulously! I'm so proud of you!! Can't wait to see them completed!
The cookies look great...and I'm getting hungry now, lol.
yeah!!! sock knitting!!
you're doing a great job--but just a warning--it's addictive~
i love your blog. the recipies always make my mouth water....
hi there. can't find an e-mail address on your blog.
i went to kenya for 3 weeks.
1 week at a very remote missions base, 1 week at an Orphanage and 2 days of Safari and a few days with some Missionaries in another part of Kenya. then home...it was wonderful!!!!
You're right - that clasp is perfect. Reminds me of Brighton jewelry.
You are crusing on that sock!!
(And I won't tell Sumo you mentioned the P word on my blog) (puppy)
love the purse great colors and lovely on the eyes :)
Those cookies look yummy! Thanks for the recipe.
Your sock looks great, I always feel that once the heel is done that I am on the home stretch. Knit On!
I love that clasp! Is that two pieces? Very pretty...I would love a pendant to match!
Love your sock so far. The pooling is great. I've been wondering about knitting socks on circular needles....
Wow, looking at the ingredient list on the cookies...that's one big
(monster) batch! Must try them...they look delicious :) Thanks for the recipe!
happy knitting :)
I love the heart shaped clasp/button thing. :)
Your sock looks great! Grumperina has some good info on picking up the gusset stitches.
Poor Sumo, hehe, our dog just looks like you are crazy to suggest she might want to go outside at all; in the cold!
I'm so impressed - my goal this year is to try to make some socks. You make it look so easy! I also love that button!
I love your bag, and the clasp does have a Brighton look. My daughter would love it. I make socks all the time. In fact I've made all but my black socks. I have no desire to knit black socks. I knit mine on four needles, knitting with the fifth. I just love this way of knitting them. I do think that most people learning to knit socks now do it on the 2 circulars. The lady that showed me how had been knitting them for years. I'm going to try your cookie recipe. I was surprised to see no flour in the ingredients. I don't think I've ever made cookies without flour. I'm guessing that the oats are enough?
Yep! No flour in these cookies... In fact we treat them as breakfast food around here with all the oatmeal and peanut butter ;-)
I love the sock! And look at that spiffy sock blocker. =)
I think the button you chose for the purse is gorgeous!
No comment on the cookies because just looking at them fills my nose with yummy warm cookie smells.
Wow yummy bag and yummy cookies!!! I too love the SWS yarn but have only ever used it single stranded and my little sofie bag was super tight and tiny though so will have to enlarge it next time around!!thanks for sharing the bag and the cookies!!! Hugs Linda
I want to try your cookie recipe, but I need to divide it in half (there's only two people in our house). Can you give me an idea of how many cups the 1 1/2 lbs of peanut butter comes to so I can break it down? Thanks......
IowaJane,
Hmmm... I always weigh my peanut butter when I make these cookies... Do you have a small kitchen scale (or a postal scale?) Weigh 12 oz and you should be good. (or maybe use all but a little bit of a 14 oz jar??)
Duh! Why didn't I think of that?? Thanks for your help. I really enjoy your blog and check it out frequently. I also have tried several of your recipes and they go over very well with my husband, especially the cornbread rolls.
IowaJane,
:-) Yes, cornbread rolls are pretty much a hit with everyone. HOpe the monster cookies come out ok. I'm glad you enjoy my blog :-) It's fun having a fellow Iowa knitter!
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