Scary Birthday

Oldest son’s birthday is today!  It’s a great day for a birthday, everyone helps him celebrate, and he always gets to trick-or-treat on his actual birthday.

He chose a cheesecake for his birthday cake.  I made a caramel sauce (recipe follows) and sprinkled Heath candy bits on top a New York style.  It was my best cheesecake yet.  Wow, wow, wow!

I’d never made homemade caramel sauce but it’s very simple and oh so much better than the purchased kind.

Caramel sauce:

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 c. heavy cream

1 1/2 T. unsalted butter

pinch of salt

in medium saucepan stir all ingredients and heat over medium heat.  bring to summer and reduce heat slightly.  Simmer for 7 minutes stirring frequently until thickened.  Cool until barely warm.

 This is great for apple slices, or ice cream, or eating with a spoon as I’ve been doing for three days.  I highly recommend a double batch.    Also, I have a recipe for a white cake with this sauce spread over the top.  YUM!

When making the sauce I was worried about it curdling.  It appeared to be but as it cooled it was fine. 

My sister makes these caramel apple drinks with cider, spiced rum, and purchased caramel sauce. I thought I’d try them with homemade caramel.

Tomorrow: Halloween photos!!!

Life of Chaos

I have no idea what I was thinking when I had all these children.  Furthermore, I have no idea what I was thinking when I thought it would nice to be married.  Ditto on the over-sized dog, and over-sized house and yard that continues to be cluttered in spite of my efforts.  Is there anything in order in my life right now???  (So glad you asked so I could talk about knitting.  The mystery socks in Opal yarn are coming along so well, wish I could share a photo, but Jean Bean has to wait till her birthday to see them, sorry.  As soon as she gets them I’ll post a photo.  The yarn is so cool.)

And now, back to the scheduled bitchfest:  For a few weeks I’ve felt my life spiral out of control.  It’s a combination of things.  My middle son has issues at school, my youngest is going through a painful adjustment to the independence of kindergarten, my oldest thinks he can run his own life at 10.  Then there isthe added craziness of after-school activities, basketball, pottery, scouts, piano, kindermusik.  It doesn’t seem like a lot until we have to haul them there.  Then there’s the chorus of, “But I have a ton of homework tonight. I forgot my __.  I don’t want to go. (When they nagged me to sign them up for it.) Then there’s the classic, “He hit me.” and “Give it back!”

I am ready to return to a simpler time when the kids had hours of chores every day, fearfully respected their parents in all they did and said, helped around the house without being asked, did their homework without being reminded 20 times, and picked up a book when they had free time.  I’m sure I’m exaggerating a bit, but I think our society’s kids don’t work enough and aren’t made responsible for their actions.  I do what I can in our household, but every day is a battle. 

Yesterday was the worst day I’ve had in ages.  It began with my Bodum coffee press exploding all over the counter with the entire contents of grounds and coffee spewing everywhere.  I had no time to change clothes or clean it up properly before heading to work, so I did what I could and left.  Then, after school the kids were completely horrible.  Was it a full moon or what?  Granted it was crummy outside and they couldn’t get their energy out, but give me a break!  We had multiple kid fights, temper tantrums, whining, nagging, and episodes of running through the house on the furniture until my head nearly burst.  By the end of the evening I was having fantasies of driving my car until I ran of gas, and starting a new life wherever I ended up.  That, or calling Madonna to come pick them up.  I had had it. 

My husband came home late last night after his weekly gig of teaching at the community college and found me in bed, clothes and make up on, under the covers sound asleep.  He said, “I’m sorry you had a bad day.”  Had I been talking in my sleep?  He said he knows when I have a bad day because I don’t stay up to knit and chat, I crash into bed to escape the world.  It’s true.  I was torn between having a Guiness or three, or crawling into bed.  I guess I was too beaten down to deal with it all one minute longer so I slept.  

Today seems brighter, at least until the kids come home from school.  I’m off to clean something and operate heavy machinery (washer/dryer). We’re gearing up for oldest child’s birthday party this weekend.  I am so not in the mood to drop a bunch of money on him after the arguments and attitude issues we’ve had the past few weeks.  He’s anxiously anticipating his slippers I am making as one of his gifts.  (I am procrastinating sewing them together to the suede bottoms.  What a pain.  I hate the finishing part of knitting.)  I try to remind myself how horrible I was to my parents when I was growing up.  They were so incredibly stupid, that I knew for sure.  They should have given me away.  I supposed I turned out alright.   I have visions of my kids living in vans or cardboard shacks under a bridge because I didn’t raise them right.  They’ll be fine.  It will probably just be me living under a bridge.

X-treme Multi-tasking 101

I am a huge fan of multi-tasking. I do dishes and laundry while on the phone.  I knit and watch TV or listen to talk radio (Coast to Coast AM is the best!), I even knit while helping kids with homework.  But the other day I discovered the mother of all multi-tasks.  Are you sitting down?  *drumroll*

Taking a shower while washing my handknit wool socks.  Are you grossed out?  If I thought about it much I probably would be.  I didn’t actually plan it out.  I had flung the socks in the shower and thought I’d wash them either before or after I showered.  So they were wet and sitting on the shower floor and so…, well, I just washed them while I was in there.  Tell me, honestly, is that gross?  Maybe I really don’t want to know. I know I could pitch them into the washing machine but I’m terrified I’ll accidently put them into the dryer so I just handwash them.  It only takes just a minute or two to handwash them (less since I’ve discovered the shower trick).  The best part is hearing DH bellow, “Quit washing your socks and get outta there, I gotta shower and get to work!”

“Thank You” To Those Who Hate Wool

I scored tremendously huge at an annual resale clothing event this past weekend. The Hetta Gilbert Sale is put on by a non profit group who use this as their main fundraiser to help local kids in need with medical bills throughout the year.  When I was a kid I thought it was called the “Head Of Gilbert Sale”.  I always thought it was odd that it was named after someone’s head, and who the hell is Gilbert, anyway?  I was pretty old when I finally figured it out, I’m ashamed to admit.

I got 3 merino wool sweaters which appear to be in near new condition, and a beautiful boiled wool zipper jacket and a hand-knit wool cardigan in plum with mother of pearl buttons.  It georgous, and the best part is that it has a totally obvious mistake in it, ON THE FRONT!  I am thrilled that someone hated this sweater so much to pass it on.  I cannot thank them enough.  I’ll have to snap some photos of it and post them.  That sweater is reason enough for me to never knit sweaters for anyone but myself.  I’d cry if someone gave away a sweater I knit for them.  Just this morning my Missy Moodle couldn’t decide what to wear.  I suggested a raspberry sweater I knitted for her last fall.  “I hate that sweater!” she shrieked.  Granted, it’s acrylic, but I don’t knit wool for kid sweaters, sorry.  I think it’s impractical.  Anyway, it cut to the quick, and it was at that moment I decided the knit-love stops at hats and mittens, and an occasional scarf.  Even socks are too much for the kidlets right now.  They are too picky about socks so I’ll buy them for now.  The sweaters, which were labeled ‘dry clean only’, are drying on my dining room floor on towels.  I cannot, cannot, cannot wait to wear them.  Yay for people who hate wool!!

Crunch Time

“Rain” soap in the drying stage (4-6 weeks)

Some people have just begun to think about the holidays.  I have already been having panic attacks for months.  The soap business is incredibly busy from Nov. 1-mid January.   In order to have soap ready I have to start making it in August and September.  By the time Nov. 1 comes I’m thoroughly sick of soap in general. 

People love the soap as stocking stuffers and packaged with lotion sticks for a skin care duo.  What makes it even better is that I only make certain varieties at this time of year.  The hottest sellers are Frankinscence and Myrrh, Nutcracker Suite, Christmas Past, and Cranberry Spice.  This year I have a new one, Orange Clove, which is incredibly yummy.

So, if I’m a bit scarce in the coming weeks, it’s because I’m making soap, cutting it, packaging it, working on brochures, business cards, and making lotion too.  I’m a nutcase.  And did I mention I have three kids, and a part time job? 

I watched a program last night about lottery winners (isn’t cable TV swell?).  It got me thinking about what I’d do with my life if I won gazillions of dollars.  I decided I’d work my soap business full time and start a kid’s knitting program in the schools.  I’d give money to many other programs locally like getting music and art back into the schools as it used to be, homeless and battered women’s shelter, food pantry, etc.  Maybe even a job training program for people trying to get off government aid.  Having that much money would make me feel a responsibility to do the right thing with it, to use the money as an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.  So why don’t I feel that responsibility now?  There are many things we can all do on a daily basis to positively impact the lives of others, and they don’t take a dime, only your time. 

What would you do if you won the lottery?  Not what would you BUY, but what would you do with your daily life?  And how could you make a difference now in the lives of others?

Funny Photo For A Rainy Day

I made my dog happy today.  On my way home I noticed a neighbor had a lawn chair and other junk at the curb with a ‘free’ sign.  I snatched the chair and presented it to Bruno when I got home.  He knew just what to do with it.  Yes, I’m a trash picker.  Hey, it’s recycling.

When we got him from the shelter several years ago we thought it was odd that he liked to sit in lawn chairs.  He had two chairs at one time, but destroyed them in a fit of stress when we had our roof done about two years ago.  I guess the roofers wandering around his turf was too much for him to handle.  When I saw this chair today I knew it had to be his.  

Yes, my life is that boring that I have to blog about my dog.

A Day Off

Missy Moodle has a touch of the flu today so I got out of work.  The sad thing is, since I was dressed and ready to head out, I was bummed that I was staying home.  She could have gone to my mother’s house for the day, but she wanted mommy.  I should feel elated to be home today, but instead I’m grumpy that I had to miss work.  I’m sure I’ll get in the groove once we get out a game or a puzzle.  I just don’t switch gears well.

I opened the local paper this morning to see the five obituaries of the Iowa family murdered over the weekend.  It happened about 60 miles from here in Bonaparte.  A son killed his parents and three sisters at three a.m. on Saturday in their home.  Though I’d heard about it on the news, it was horrible to see their faces in the paper.  The girls were young,  beautiful teenagers with their lives ahead of them.  So, so sad.  I read that the son has a history of drug problems and I wonder if that was the root of the murders.  His photo was also in the paper, on the front page.  He was in shackles and handcuffs, being escorted to jail after being returned to Iowa from Illinois.  What the hell was he thinking? 

Weekend Fun And Recovery

We had a busy weekend.  Our family traveled about an hour to the Spoon River Scenic Drive craft fair.  It’s an annual even for my side of the family.  My cousin lives in one of the towns which hosts the largest craft fair along the route, so we hung out there most of the day.  It was a beautiful day for it, chilly jacket weather, but sunny.  The craft fair was a bit disappointing this time.  I’d looked forward to buying some pottery, but the potter I like was not there.  I ended up buying some honey from a local apiary and a garden ornament.  What a drag.

After returning from Illinois we went to a neighbor’s house for their annual cookout.  They grilled shrimp skewers which were yummy.  The highlight of their party is always the bonfire which they gauge in ‘roofs’.  A ‘first roof’ fire reaches the porch roof, a ’second roof’ fire reaches the house roof.  The guy is nuts and starts the fire by dousing the enormous woodpile with gasoline while the guests stand back in disbelief.  Fortunately, the fire was only a first roof fire most of the evening. 

I spent most of the weekend fighting a migraine.  It’s finally gone after having slept twice my usual amount this weekend and taking two doses of Relpax.  Friday at my dr. appt. I whined to him how much the Relpax costs and he gave me some samples  to help me out.  He gave me 9 pills which would have cost me nearly $100 at the pharmacy.  Yipee.

In other news, the wench I bought silverware from on ebay still has not shipped my goods.  I went to a current auction she has and emailed her about the situation. Maybe this time she’ll respond.  I’m filing a refund request today with paypal.  This is such a crock.  I only want my stuff.  Peeps, heed my words:  always read the feedback of the buyers you are considering buying from BEFORE YOU BUY. 

I am quickly running out of yarn for Icarus, only enough for a few more rows.  I’m so sad.  Jennifer if you’re reading this:  how’s your scarf coming?    She’s a kind-hearted knitter who offered the remainder of identical yarn when her scarf is complete.  Knitters are just the nicest people.  Don’t ya think?

One Great Knitting Tip

I know some of you are groaning right now.  “She’s talking about knitting again.”  Yep, I am.  My life is so pathetic, you really wouldn’t be that interested, trust me.  And this knitting tip will change your life, if you’re a knitter, that is. 

I have loved reading about knitting tips and tricks since I began knitting a few years ago.  Most of them haven’t radically changed my life.  This tip somehow has eluded me until yesterday when I found it in this book.  I don’t know how I never ran across it before, but this tip on sizing hats has changed my life.  I love knitting hats for the kidlets but it’s not enjoyable because it’s a major pain doing the guesswork to get it to fit.  Last winter I gave up and knitted matching I-cord drawstrings and wove them into the brim of the kids’ hats.  They worked incredibly well to get them to stay on their heads, but the older kidlets didn’t like them. 

Okay, enough chatter, here’s the trick: 

Gauge (number of stitches per inch) x head circumference= number stitches in CO

In case you are a doubter, I made a hat today with this formula and it fit like a dream!

Then adjust the number so that it’s divisible by 6 for the decrease at top of hat and CO that number. 

When you get to the decrease: (knit 4, K2tog, repeat around. Rnd 2: knit three, k2tog, repeat around, etc…. until about 4 or 5 stitches then pull yarn thru remaining stitches and weave in ends.  I always use one size (or half size in case of #10) smaller needles for the CO and ribbing, then switch to larger.   This usually works well, especially for wool which tends to stretch quite a bit.  Here in Iowa, wool is pretty necessary in hats and mittens; I don’t bother with acrylic  anymore for outdoor wear.  Although wool is pricier, it is so worth it to hear the kidlets say their heads and hands stay warm.  The wind goes right through their acrylic knit hats unless they’re fleece.  I really became a believer last year when I knit my middle kidlet a fancy two-color scandanavian patterned hat with braided tassels.  It turned out great and he wore it out to play on a chilly afternoon. He was back in 5 minutes reaching for his other hat, which was wool.  I used acrylic because it was a first attempt at such a difficult pattern and I didn’t want to waste wool.  Lesson learned.

Okay, I lied.  That is way more info than one great knitting tip, but if you have hat anxiety, you’ll appreciate it.  Now, go measure someone’s head and knit a hat, quick, before winter comes!

WTF and eBay

I am so fuming today I can hardly utter the word ‘eBay’ without blowing a gasket.  I have always been a bit proud of mysef that of my thirtysome purchases, I have not had one bad experience.  My luck has changed.  I won an auction for some oneida stainless silverware to add to my set.  It was a great deal (isn’t it always?) and I was so excited that I had to ‘buy it now’.  It’s now been nearly four weeks and it still hasn’t arrived.  I have tried repeatedly to contact the seller by email and she won’t respond.  I’ve contacted eBay and they recommended I call her but they have yet to email me the phone number.  I have up to 45 days to file for a refund with paypal, but they only refund $200 minus a $25 processing fee (my auction was $240).  I smell a rat.  They are making money off people who get screwed off eBay.  That is just so wrong.  But that’s another issue.  So here I wait.  Every day I think, “It might come today.”  Or, I might win the lottery, or I might be queen.  I’m beginning to face up to the fact that I’ve been duped and that I’d better be happy with $175 rather than nothing.  Losers like debrasl1 totally give ebay a bad name.  I should have nosed around in her info before I purchased.  I would have found that she has many negative comments in her feedback.  “Never received merchandise, took 5 weeks and was wrong item and she wouldn’t return my calls/emails, etc.”  Why does eBay allow people like this to be ‘power sellers’?  I am so done with eBay.  Stick a fork in me.