More Snow

More Snow
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Just what I needed is a bit more snow. We drove to Colorado Springs on Christmas Day to visit J's parents. It was snowing on our way home. It looks like we won't be going out today.

White Chocolate Biscotti

White Chocolate Biscotti
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

White Chocolate Biscotti

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons Amaretto
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raw whole almonds
1/2 package white chocolate chips
white chocolate for decorating cookies if desired
(I used a white chocolate dipping bar from the store for dipping strawberries)


Mix ingredients in mixer as you would any cookie dough. Creaming butter and sugar then adding eggs and other ingredients.
On a parchment lined baking sheet make a log and flatten it out bake it at 325 until golden brown around edges and firm to touch
25 minutes or longer if needed. Take out and cool briefly. Place on cutting board an use a bread knife to cut cookie slices out of loaf. Bake slices of cookies 10 minutes on each side until golden brown and a little bit dried out. Melt white chocolate and drizzle on cookies and sprinkle with colored sugar balls if desired.

Colorado Unpacking

Colorado Unpacking
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

There are still many boxes around but we stopped to watch a Hallmark Christmas movie for the night.

Living Room in Colorado

Living Room in Colorado
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Here is the living room. We are still unpacking. Things are not quite in order yet.

Quilt Cottage Co.

Quilt Cottage Co.
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

They had a large selection of yarn for being mostly quilting supplies.

Quilt Cottage Co.

Quilt Cottage Co.
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

A nice little place to come and knit with friends.

Quilt Cottage Co.

Quilt Cottage Co.
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Quilt Cottage Co.

Quilt Cottage Co.
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

We found this little shop along the way. I thought it was a nice little shop. I did find some yarn from Italy that I love there.

Yarn Barn

Yarn Barn
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

They have lots of bare yarn to dye yourself.

Yarn Barn

Yarn Barn
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Yarn Barn

Yarn Barn
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Yarn Barn

Yarn Barn
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Yarn Barn

Yarn Barn
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Yarn Barn

Yarn Barn
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

We rolled into the Yarn barn at about 6 pm one night. It was well worth the trip. So much yarn to drool over.
They had many spinning wheels and weaving looms.

Hallmark

Hallmark
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

This tree brings me back. Look at all the salt dough ornaments on it.

Hallmark

Hallmark
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Here is an angel tree on the Hallmark tour.

Hallmark

Hallmark
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Here are the Presidents Cards. I thought it was an interesting display.

Kansas City

Kansas City
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

We pulled into Kansas City to go to the Hallmark Crown Shopping Center. It had a large mall and the Hallmark Headquarters there.

Apple Wagon Antique Mall

Apple Wagon Antique Mall
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Apple Wagon Antique Mall

Apple Wagon Antique Mall
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

More Fiesta...

Apple Wagon Antique Mall

Apple Wagon Antique Mall
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

These were only $9.99 each too bad I have enough of these already.

Apple Wagon Antique Mall

Apple Wagon Antique Mall
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

We stopped here along the way to check out
antiques. They had lots of Fiesta from Homer Laughlin.

Bridge over the Mississippi

Bridge over the Mississippi
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Cats On The Move

Cats On The Move
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

The cats were so good they hardly piped up for the whole trip. They mostly slept durring the day and ran around like crazy at the motels all night long.

Amish Buggy in Ohio

Amish Buggy in Ohio
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

The Bug Loaded Down

The Bug Loaded Down
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Here is the bug loaded down on the first stop in the move. We stopped at an Amish cheese place. We tasted the best cheese here.
On with the trip....

Moving Again......

Bring It On
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

This marks the beginning of the journey back to Denver, CO.
As I shoved the used boxes in my bug last night. I began to feel tired just thinking about the whole thing.
On my lunch hour, I went to a local newspaper company in search of end rolls to use for packing. Hopefully I picked out enough and don't have to make the trek to Xenia to get more.
Since J has to work on Thanksgiving I thought I might as well get started on this huge task.
I hope you stay tuned for our journey back to Colorado. It should be interesting.

Bad Boy Attention

Bad Boy Attention
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Who wants some bad boy attention?

Bad Boy Attention

Bad Boy Attention
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Lets just say this is Fishers new favorite place to hang out.
When he thinks you have been on the computer a little too long and you must get off, this is how he tells you.

Hot Chocolate Scarf and Mitts Set

Hot Chocolate Scarf and Mitts Set
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

I had more yarn left over from a pair of slippers I made for Cindy at work. I had so much I was able to make a matching scarf and fingerless mitt set. The colors remind me of hot chocolate.

Handspun Fingerless Mitts

Handspun Fingerless Mitts
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

I think I may have posted these before. They are made with some beautiful handspun yarn. I mail ordered the fiber from a lady on Etsy.

Noro Knit Scarf

Noro Knit Scarf
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

This is a made with Noro Yarn and MK Irish Collection Yarns.
I diddn't have quite enough to do a complete scarf in either yarn so I used both of them. It is a nice thick warm scarf for a gift.

Ocean Handknit Scarf

Ocean Handknit Scarf
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

I finished this scarf last night. I have been working on a few gifts.
This one turned out looking like the ocean. Or at least how I recall it looking. It has been sometime since I have been home to view it.

Traveling Scarf Arrives Home

Traveling Scarf Arrives Home
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

In Ravelry, last year the Noro Traveling Scarf Group started up. My scarf just arrived home yesterday. I thought you would like to see a photo of it. Noro yarns are from Japan.

Birthday Cards

Birthday Cards
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Two more birthday cards arrived. One from Aunt Kathy and Uncle John in California. Thank you so much for thinking of me.
The other one from J's Grandfather in Oklahoma. I hope one day to be able to come out for a visit. Thanks for being so generous!

Birthday Gifts From My Sister and Kris

Birthday Gifts From My Sister and Kris
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Here is the box from my Sister and Kris. I love all of the baking products. I was looking thru the cookie book at snickerdoodles. (J's favorite) Thanks so much for the wonderful basket of goodies. I love everything!

Pumpkin Wagon

Pumpkin Wagon
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

On the way out we passed this pumpkin wagon. Now, home to a warm bath and out of these wet clothes.

Cindy and The Kitty

Cindy and The Kitty
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

I don't know why I can't resist stray cats.

Feeding The Goats

Feeding The Goats
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

This is one of my favorite photos of the day. It's like Bev is the goat wisperer.

Feeding The Goats

Feeding The Goats
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Here are Amy and Marsha feeding the goats.

Young's Dairy

Young's Dairy
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

Today, the girls in my office all went to Young's Dairy for lunch and a romp thru the corn maze. It was a bit muddy and cold on the trek. I think we all ended up having fun. We had some ice cream and fed the goats afterwards. It was a good afternoon.

Two More Birthday Gifts Arrive Today

Two More Birthday Gifts Arrive Today
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

I got home to find a Package on the front porch. I will have to open it up when I return home from spinning class tonight. I believe the package is from my Sister and her Hubby.
The card is from my Aunt an Uncle in California. Thanks, so much for thinking of me. I love you and miss you both.

My Birthday!

I just awoke from a long birthday nap. I must admit I needed that.
I thought I would take pictures of my birthday gifts that came in the mail. My Mother sent me quite a few shirts and a hoodie jacket along with a beautiful purse. She also sent a little hand crocheted bag that is very sweet. My friend Cindy, from work gave me a Debbie Bliss Knitting magazine with a yarn cutter and tape measure. I have been eyeballing the yarn cutter in a knitting catalog that I have. I am so happy she picked that out. You know you can't always carry sissors around.
My Aunt from Napa sent a thoughtful card with a gift card from Trader Joes.
Last, but not least Christine and Ralph sent Yankee Candles. Yummy! A pumpkin cake and Almond Cookie one. They smell delicious. Two of my favorite scents.
Thanks for all of my birthday gifts, it is so thoughtful of everyone to go to the trouble to pick out and mail things to me.
I love everything.

Son Of Dish Rag Tag - The Team With No Name

I have been stalking http://yarnmiracle.com/ to see what place we finally came in at. I see today she posted that the box I sent arrived. It's official we came in 8th place if you were wondering at all about it.
I think that is pretty good out of 20 teams. It is better than the team I was on last year. I believe we came in close to last place.
I look forward to next year.

Son Of Dish Rag Tag - My Box

Here is the box I sent out with the finished dish rag I made in it.
I sent this box out today on my lunch break. I know our team did not win, because there are other teams that have already finished. I will let you know what place we come in.
There are 20 teams racing to get the dishcloths done and back to the finish line. My team is team # 18 (the team with no name). I know it's really creative for a bunch of crafters....
I want you to know I offered up two names when they were deciding on what to call us. Somehow the team with no name won out. If you want to check out the site where all the entries are going to its here.

Son Of Dish Rag Tag - Finally!!!!

I have been awaiting the arrival of the Son Of Dish Rag Tag box. It finally arrived last night. Here is what was in it.
A pretty checkboard dish rag made by the girl ahead of me in the race. She sent me a knitting project bag. I love it! She also sent lots of treats. The new skien of yarn was to knit the next dish rag with. Along, with all the gifts were a pattern for the dishcloth. I was to make the dish rag as soon as possible and send it out. I made most of it last night and finished it up in the morning.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Bread Pudding
4 beaten eggs
2 cups fat free milk
1/3 cup splenda brown sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 can of canned pumpkin
3 TBL sugar free maple syrup
3 to 4 cups bread (I used whole wheat WW bread)
1/3 cup of crasins

In a mixing bowl beat all wet ingredients and add crasins. Cut bread in cubes and put in baking dish. I used a round deep baking dish. Spray baking dish with baking spray and add bread.
Pour wet ingredients over bread. Bake at 325 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Cool slightly and serve. I served with a spoonful of fat free carmel dipping sauce ready made for dipping apples in. A cheater way to have a carmel sauce topping.

French Twists

French Twists
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

These are so delicious. I usually get a smaller snack size twist that is 30 calories. I hope there is something new that you have not tried before listed here.
Happy Snacking!

Veggie Crisps

Veggie Crisps
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

This is another favorite snack. I purchase them in the 100 calorie snack size packages. I usually dip them in FF cottage cheese.
This would be a snack before teaching spinning.

Chocolate Truffle Bars

Chocolate Truffle Bars
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

I thought I would share my 3 favorite low calorie snacks with you.
This one is an ice cream bar. I have only had the chocolate truffle flavor. I love them!

My Birthday Gift From J

My Birthday Gift From J
Originally uploaded by whirledpeas00

This gift arrived in the mail the other day. J got it for my birthday. He gave it to me early. No more getting lost in these strange places. I did get lost on the way to Waynesville last weekend.
I went to a wedding at the Dayton Art Institute awhile back and I was so lost a homeless man had to help me find my way.
There were so many road closures my googled instructions were no longer good. I did however, make it in time to sit in the back row with all the other late individuals.