another goodbye......

Our sweet Mojo died overnight last night.  

He stole our heart.

Sleep well sweet Prince.....

Zombie doll challenge

I am hosting a Halloween challenge on my swap blog and did a Nursery themed zombie doll for it:

Bloody Mary

and an altered poem....

Apparently, the true meaning behind this particular nursery rhyme included beheading and torture....so I didn't have to stretch too far!

Simple knit hat.

My third knitting project was a success!  

This time, I used five needles and wasn't sure how I was going to get through it.  But I plodded along and kept at it.   It took almost two weeks but I was going slowly and used tips on all the needles.  (I had visions of the entire thing falling off.)

I love how it turned out.  Now I am making a second one for my sister.  Bring on the COOL weather!

Annual Zombie Doll swap.

I am a true dork.   I am a huge fan of the Addams Family.  ALL of them....even Thing and Cousin It!  I used to watch it everyday as a kid.  If it were on, I'd watch it now.  

So this year when I hosted my annual zombie doll swap, I listed Tuesday Addams and a few other things that I thought would make good zombies. 

I squealed when I saw her!  She is perfectly perfect.  
She is so prim and proper with her lovely velvet dress on.  She must gorge herself quite carefully, so as not to get it bloody!

She arrived along with a glittery pumpkin, a spider ornament and a couple kitchen towels.  The tuille was packing material and I'll be using it somewhere this Halloween.

Do you see Suki lurking in the back of this photo?

As soon as I stepped away, she jumped up.  All resident zombies get a thorough sniffing!

Apparently, Tuesday passed inspection because Suki jumped down a few minutes later!

I sent my partner a "My Neighbor Tortoro" zombie doll.  I actually had to look it up.  I'd never heard of Tortoro...poor fella only had 1 arm left!  He obviously isn't a clean eater...just look at all that mess!  yuck!  (I got the pattern for him off Ravelry)

I also made a scarf and needle case (my partner loves sugar skulls)....and a Frankie phone case.  Then threw in some other stuff for fun.  We all need zombie tissues, right?

Can you tell I'm ready for Halloween?

school days

Someone is starting to enjoy college life..........

while someone else absolutely LOVES cross country!

kids sure grow up fast.......

never fails

Leo is so funny.  He is sort of aloof  unless I am sitting at the computer!

Then he turns into a snuggle muffin!  Good thing I keep a blanket nearby though... he likes to knead and his nails kill me!

reminds me of this cartoon.  One of my favorites!

Cross country....

Someone has joined cross country.    She ran in her first race last week, with a bum knee.  3 miles on a super hot, grossly muggy day.  Would'a killed me.  

I was so excited that when she went across the finish line, I forgot to take a photo.  

Her goal was simple.  To finish the race and not be last, and she made both.  I am very proud of her.  More importantly, she is proud of herself.

Check this out, I am so proud of our school...I saw SO many schools taking part in prayers before they raced.  Made me happy to see that some things are still sacred.......

It was a really hot, muggy day, with rain off and on.  Not a nice cooling rain.  Oh no, it was the kind of hot rain that made mosquitoes jump for joy.  And once the rain let up, there were lots of mud puddles to traverse, lots of slippery ground.  

Through it all, the teams were out rooting for their own.

Tomorrow is the second race of the season and the weather is supposed to be a bit better.  I sure hope so.

Raffia and yarn........

I've had a couple projects going for over a week now.

First is my THIRD knitting project!  It is going to be a hat. I saw one on display in a yarn store in Destin and fell in love with it.  

I had NO idea the project would need 4 needles!  I can barely manage 2....  

That being said, I am enjoying the challenge and am about halfway done.  Then I have to make another one just like it for one of my sisters.

I also started a new "improved" wreath for fall.  Suki decided to play in some of the raffia I am using!  The wreath is almost done....just need to add some finishing touches and put it out in October!

While Suki was having a blast playing in the raffia, Mojo was content with a new toy from the pet store.

While Leo napped close by...he always sleeps stretched out like this!

Easy Peasy Salami Bread and Marinara Sauce...

A long, long time ago in a far away land, my sweet sister gave me an easy "new to cooking" recipe...and today I thought I'd share it with you!  It is seriously one of those "no-fail" recipes that a working girl can throw together quickly.  Just be sure to get the dough out of the freezer before heading to work!

Salami Bread (makes ONE loaf)

Frozen bread loaf
1 package salami (I use beef)  
1 package sliced provolone or mozzarella  OR shredded mozzarella
marinara sauce, *recipe below
garlic powder
Italian seasoning
(Note: you can use more salami and cheese than this, the amount you use is really a personal preference.)
Take out one loaf of frozen bread and thaw it out according to package instructions.  I'm making two to show you a variation.  Be sure to spray the plastic wrap with oil or the dough will stick!

Let them rise and rise and rise!  

Once it is thawed and has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rough rectangle.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  I tend to roll mine and then stretch it a bit.  Don't forget to flour the board or counter so it doesn't stick.

Once the rectangle is done, sprinkle it with the seasonings .  I don't measure it but I'd say a teaspoon of each, maybe a little more.
Then layer the meat and cheese on top of that.  There are 8 slices of salami to a pack...2 are hidden under the cheese...

If you don't have sliced cheese, you can use shredded instead...just don't overload it.  Also, keep the cheese a bit away from the edge so the seam can close.

Roll it up jelly roll style, starting with a short end.  Don't be gentle, stretch the dough and secure the seam well.  Dough is so forgiving, just pull and yank until you get it the way you want it.  

Then pinch the ends closed.  This loaf has more meat and cheese in it, can you tell?  hahaha

Now put the loaf into a greased loaf pan, seam side down.  If you don't put the seam side down, the bread will open and all the stuff will pop out!  You can see the one of the left had more stuff inside of it so it is bigger (we ate that one first...)

Bake at 350 until golden brown.  About 20-30 minutes, depending on your oven.  You are only baking the bread, not the salami, so once the bread is done, everything is done!

Let it cool 5-10 minutes so the cheese won't glob out everywhere.

*For the sauce:

Saute half an onion that has been minced, (or rehydrate a palmful of dehyrated minced onions and saute a moment) add 4 crushed cloves of garlic, 1 can tomato paste, 1 small can tomato sauce,  2 cups of water. Juice of 1 lemon, salt and pepper, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp sugar and a scant tsp of chili powder for kick.*

To serve,  put a puddle of  marinara sauce on a plate and place a thick slice of the bread right on top.   YUM.

I serve this with a simple salad and it is always a hit.  Too bad Matt wasn't here to enjoy it this week!

another year

Another year has passed....but this day will never be just another day. 

Simply sweet knit scarf

I have finally finished my second knit project!   I used a skein of yarn I purchased in March from a store in Destin.  I didn't have a project in mind but the yarn was so pretty and soft that I decided a scarf was the way to go.

I wanted to get a rhythm for knitting the way I have with crochet so simply knit the entire thing!  I cast on 25 and just went back and forth until I felt it was long enough.   

The colors are not the best for me...but I have a recipient in mind!

This scarf is nice and stretchy and the colors are perfect for this time of year.

a day in the life

Dean and I were being goofy the other day.......

Crocheting is difficult to do sometimes....especially when you have a sweaty hundred pound kid lying across your lap.  Curly girl runs cross country and likes to "share...."  (ew!)

I crocheted a zombie doll for the swap I host but can't share it yet....here is a little peek though

Same sweaty girl minus the sweat....

Taking a selfie on Friday to share with my sisters.  we've all started drinking our wine out of pretty glasses!

Here is to a great week and happy September!

tale of two doors

I was SO ready for September to arrive so I could put my gnome wreath out!!!!

Then at work, I got to do my classroom door....it says "Fall into Reading Coach"

Don't you just love Snoopy and Woodstock and the rest of the gang?

Anybody home?

Oh my gosh, when I saw this, I couldn't help but giggle.....

I mean, what if there had been a BIRD in there?