A Drama Unfolds, Starring 2 Bobs, Moe, Java & Jasmine

I just wanted to share a few more pictures of Moe that I took.

Here is Moe, channel surfing on our day off last Friday.

Of course when you don't have cable or a dish, there isn't anything too exciting happening around the house. Because daytime TV will rot your brain with its mindlessness. Although something interesting just may happen when a tall, dark, handsome fella strolls by. Although he doesn't seem too impressed with her attempt at making googly eyes at him, looks can be deceiving as we later find out.
I wanted to save these last photos until my Hot Chocolate swap pal got her package, but I just can't wait. I have tracking confirmation that her package is out on a UPS truck for delivery right now though. So hopefully she won't see this until she opens her package.


Meet Aqua Bob and Blue Bob. I made Blue Bob first and he was just not peppy enough to be a blah buster buddy. Being 'blue' and all. So I did Aqua Bob instead. Here they are doing the secret hand shake before Aqua Bob climbs into he package and leaves town. And lest she be excluded, here is Moe getting in on a little secret hand shake action herself. You will notice the tall, dark, handsome fella peering down on them. Java's wondering what Moe's doing shaking hands with the 2 Bobs after making googly eyes at him!


Maybe he should get a closer look at Aqua Bob. There just might be something Aqua Bob has that Java is lacking. He confers with his sister, Miss Jasmine. She doesn't know what Moe see's in Aqua Bob, but she definitely sees something that she likes just as well. For just seconds after I snapped this picture, she snags Aqua Bob by the tail and tries to make off with him. Luckily in her mad dash, I startle her enough that she drops Aqua Bob and I am able to rescue him from certain disaster. Boy was he more than happy to be on his way.

Hot Cocoa Swap Package Received

I just wanted to let everyone know that I received my swap package on Saturday. My YSP, Sarah from Nebraska spoiled me rotten. I just love everything!

Here is a photo of all the wonderful stuff.

I got 2 skeins of Reggio Bamboo yarn. The color is so bright and cheerful. I can't wait to try it out. I also received a skein of Cherry Tree Hill Sock yarn, and you know, I have yet to make myself a pair of blue socks, so I think I really must do those next. And to confuse matters, she sent this great book about knitting 2 socks on circular needles. There are some really neat looking socks in there. And now I just can't figure out if I want to do the 2 circle needle method or the magic loop method first. I must decide soon, since I finished the 'neverending socks' on Friday, because I want to start another pair as soon as possible. Sarah's friend at her local coffee shop recommended the Mexcafe Mexican Hot Chocolate. OH MY! It is delicious! I made it with milk and added marshmallows. Major YUM! I need to find it locally for when I run out. You will me amazed to know that I still have not eaten the Dove Chocolate bar yet. I know as soon as I open it, I will devour the whole thing, so I am waiting a bit. I wanted to savor it for awhile.

And lest I forget, here is Moe, sitting in my coffee mug on a desk at work. I say "a" desk, as mine was way to messy for a good photo. Moe is adorable and so cuddly. Sarah said she started calling her Moe, because that is what she just looks like. I agree, so I am going to continue to call her that. I have to admit that I am glad Sarah let me know she's a monkey, because for some odd reason at first glance I thought she was a horse, until I saw the long tail. Don't know where that idea came from!?!? Sarah said her daughter liked Moe so much she has to make her one now.

Sarah also included 4 lovely stitch markers. I have been trying to take a close up photo of them, so you can see the details, but either the flash goes off and it is to white, or it is too dark, when I turn the flash off. I will work on getting a photo up of those.

Thanks again Sarah for the great package!

I am almost finished with my own Secret Pals package. I have a few tweeks to do, but it will be on it's way out the door by the end of the week.

Hot Cocoa Swap - Topic of the Week

What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable?

That's a toss up. I have 2 favorite/really memorable vacations that I have taken. The thing that makes them so memorable is that they were both firsts. In September 2001, yes the week after 911, I took my very first vacation by myself, ever. I rented a car and drove all by myself out to South Dakota to visit a friend. And let me tell you, boy is that a really long drive, more so, because I had checked out several books on tape from the library and the rental car did not have either a tape player or cd player in it. Anyway, we visited the badlands, Custer National Park and Mount Rushmore, which was especially nice as they had a 911 memorial set up.

My second most memorable vacation was the trip I took to England in 2005. It was my first trip overseas. I stayed with a friend near Nottingham and had a lot of fun. I was only there a week, but the weather was gorgeous. Normally all they have in March is rain, but the sun shone all week except for my last full day there. After I left, it rained every day for over a month. I thought that was kind of funny!

Hot Cocoa Swap - Topic of the week

Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?

Well, to answer this honestly, yes my knitting would normally change, but I am stuck on a pair of never ending socks that just don't want to get finished. When I had to rip the beginning of sock #2 out and restart it, I got frustrated. And I started to dislike this sock. I knitted on it last night at Bella Vita and I have made it down to the arch of the foot, so I really don't have much longer to go. Crossing my fingers in the hopes of working on it Sunday at work. But I do have a sweater planned as my next project. I want to knit it in superwash wool (so I don't inadvertently shrink another project). I have not bought or knit anything in silk yet, although I would like to try it out someday. I even looked at some wool/silk blend yarn for my sweater, before I decided to get superwash instead. I bought some silk hankies to try to spin, but they are still sitting in my stash. About the only thing I have ever knitted in cotton is dishcloths. Although the socks I made for the Monkey Sock Swap were a cotton/bamboo blend. It had a real nice feel to it.

Hot Cocoa Swap Questionaire

Cocoa:
1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug? Well, I don't think I have a non-favorite way to drink cocoa. Whether it is at the coffee shop with friends or just bundled up at home in front of the TV. I love to drink hot cocoa out of a big mug, prepared with either milk or water but usually a little of both and occassionally spiked with butterscotch snapps (YUM). I've never tried a home made recipe, except for once when I tried cooking one of the mexican chocolates in hot milk on the stove. Normally I just stick with store bought. Flavored cocoas are good too, especially mint or mexican spice.

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream? Either/Or. I don't usually have them on hand though to use them. So I only get them when at a coffee shop.

Yarn/Knitting/Crochet
1. What is your favorite type of yarn? In what colors? Wool or wool blend. I like jewel tone colors, fall colors, some brites depending on the mood I'm in. Blue, pink, purple, teal, rust, green, etc. I don't care for black or white though.

2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)? Knit only.

3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new? I usually use the Susan Bates circular needles with the removable tips. I like circular much better than straight. I like bamboo sock needles over metal. But I wouldn't mind trying something new.

4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions? Yes.

5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)? Mainly just big stuff like a Yarn winder and swift.

6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification) Socks or scarves or felted items.

Miscellaneous
1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter? Read, knit or sew

2. What is your favorite animal? Any that are cute and cuddly.

3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'? Yes

4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs? Visit with friends as much as I can. I belong to several knitting and quilting groups. Also, I go on my annual winter quilt retreat.

5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring? Light. I hate going to work in dark and coming home in the dark.

6. What are your favorite treat? Anything flavored with Black Licorice or Anise. And chocolate of course.

7. What is your favorite board game? Monoply, Sorry, Uno, Yahtzee

8. Do you have any children (furry or human)? 2 Cats

9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about? No Allergies. But I am trying to watch my weight, which I know doesn't necessarily go along with chocolate, but I have to have some vices right?

Beat the Winter Blahs Swap

I have decided to sign up for another swap. I had so much fun with the monkey swap, that I am planning to join the Hot Cocoa Swap. Sign-up starts on December 16th. The Hot Cocoa blog was nice enough to supply instructions on how to add a linked button to my blog page, so there it is over on the right. I tried it out to make sure that the link works. I can't wait. This sounds really fun. And honestly who doesn't love a good cup of hot chocolate on a cold winters day??