Packages Plus...

What a fun week of packages for me! My Monkey socks from the Monkey Sock Swap I was in arrived from Beck and I absolutely love them. The colors are perfect and they feel great on my feet.
She also included a beautiful skein of Hand Maiden yarn to knit up my Mona Cookie A sock pattern that she included as well. I haven't tried this yarn yet, so it will be a real treat.








Speaking of treats, there were many that accompanied my socks and yarn. Lots of yummy dark chocolate (some of which is gone now!); monkey key covers; monkey page clips; a handmade paper journal; 3 pair of the work socks that make the famous sock monkeys and a little can of Junk Yard Dog grass for Sumo!
Thanks so much, Beck!



Then today I received my Football Along Swap Package from Kris. Boy did she spoil me as well!!
Look at all this footbally goodness! There are snacks a plenty; cups, napkins and plates for a football party; a baked cookie candle (Yum!); 2 knitting magazines and 3 skeins of wonderful yarn.





Again, Kris included yarn that I don't have in my 'collection' yet! 2 skeins of purple Koigu and a beautiful skein of Fleece Artist Autumn with yellow in it's colorway. (GO VIKINGS!) Good thing I have some knitting time planned this weekend with all this new yarn!!






I spent a good part of the day today cooking. I made a batch of Penne; Chicken Broccoli casserole; White Rolls and Peanut Butter Kiss cookies. I was inspired to make these when I found this bag of UNWRAPPED Hershey Kisses at the store this week. I've been waiting for them to do this for years. It's especially nice now because I don't have kids at home anymore who are anxious to help mom make cookies by unwrapping all the kisses. Thought I would share my cookie recipe with you.








Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies



1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
Hershey Kisses, unwrapped

1. In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter, butter, sugars and egg.

2. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Blend thoroughly and then stir in vanilla.

3. Roll 1/2 Tbsp of dough into a ball and roll in sugar and place on cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with palm of hand or small glass.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

5. Lightly press a Hershey Kiss into the center of the cookie.


Helping me today was my constant companion, Sumo. He sits there with his paw under the rug (something he always does for some reason) and kept me company while I worked in the kitchen. (He was rewarded occasionally with a small piece of chicken.. shhhh, don't tell Steve.) His big reward, however, was the 2 mile walk we took after the cooking was all done!









With the cooking and cleaning done for the weekend, I hope to spend lots of time knitting this weekend. (We also have a few cars we're looking at to replace the one totaled by the deer last weekend). I'll keep you posted!

Until Next Time...