Lace Headband/Neck Warmer {Yarn Along}

This week, I'm knitting the center row lace headband/neck warmer, which has actually been a work in progress since December.  At Christmas, I left this knitting project at my parents and when I took it back home over a month ago, I left it sitting.  When I resumed my knitting, I remembered why I did not enjoy knitting the headband.  It was because my yarn was a TANGLED mess.  I pulled the yarn from the inside and had to stop my knitting about every other row, pull out more yarn, untangle it, knit again, and repeat.  This got old very fast.  On Sunday, I decided to pull out all the yarn and roll it into a ball.  Now, it's much better, and if I dedicate 1-2 hours, I should be finished with it by Saturday for my sister-in-law's birthday party.

What are you reading or knitting this week?

Join me at Ginny's Yarn Along.

Braided Longies Complete {Yarn Along}

As promised last week, here are the photographs of the braided longies. Lanolized and ready to be given to the recipient.



FYI, one leg is not longer than the other;
it's just the way the longies are hanging.

In my previous post when I showed these longies, I was asked what it's like to knit with Lamb's Pride.  Overall I like it because: it's cheap{er} than most wool yarns, it's also durable, and the texture is wonderful. A few things I'm not thrilled about: it sheds {because of the mohair content} and it bleeds {a lot} when washing it the first time.  Some people complain about the itchiness of the yarn, but I'm not bothered by it.  I have knit one thing for myself out of it.  I just wash it a few times in Eucalan, and it hasn't bothered me.

I'm still reading Little House in the Big Woods to Charis; we're over 3/4 finished. I read 1 picture book to her before naps and bed.  One of the most recent picture books I read to her was {affiliate link} Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans.  It's the story of a young girl, who lives with 11 other girls, and has to go to the hospital to get an appendectomy.  If Charis studies French or French culture as a young girl, I will definitely be reading this book to her again.  Throughout Madeline, there are various Paris scenes pictured, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Opera, Nortre Dame, etc.

What are you reading or knitting?

Join me at Ginny's Yarn Along.

BSN Complete {Gratituesday}

Almost a year ago, I wrote a 30 before 30 list.  I'm THRILLED to announce that I have another tick to make in the list.  I finished my BSN {#7}.  Graduation was May 18, 2013.  I only had four tickets to give, so those privileged to attend were Drew, my mum, Robbie {brother}, and Jen {Robbie's wife}.  The speaker wasn't great, but I did not expect a brilliant speech.  This past Friday, I received my diploma in the mail, so it seems real now.  It's SUCH a relief to be finished.

The Friday before my graduation, my brother graduated seminary, from RPTS, in Pittsburgh. He's in the PCA, interning with a church planter in Pittsburgh.  It was a wonderful weekend. It was so nice to be together, especially so shortly after Grandad's death.

Do you have a degree? 

Or are you thinking about continuing your education?

Uniformed Scrubs {Sponsored}

In 2003, I started working in health care as a nursing assistant. It was hard finding scrubs that were well made, cheap, and were the required color I was supposed to wear {teal}.  I went to 2 uniform stores, but the scrubs were either too small or too big.  Finally after searching high and low, I found two pairs, each over $25. 

I quickly learned to buy nursing scrubs online.  Uniformed Scrubs was established in 2012; their goal is to provide a wide variety of scrubs at low prices.  Some of the brands they carry are Adar medical uniforms, Baby Phat, Cherokee scrubs, and Dickees scrubs.

I was sent Three pocket V-neck medical scrub top from the Adar line.  I love the roominess the scrub top has.  When working as a nurse, some of the activities I do are helping patients get out of bed, turning patients in bed, emptying catheters/drainage bags, etc, so I need scrubs that are comfortable.  The second thing I like about it, is the three pockets.  I hold many pens when I'm working and have at least one paper to jot information down on.  The last thing I like about the V-neck top is the price; it's currently selling for $12.98.



LOVE pockets!!

Uniformed Scrubs is giving my readers 15% off with the coupon code-trueblue-which is good until July 31, 2013.

You can find Uniformed Scrubs on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uniformedscrubs
Blog: http://uniformedscrubs.wordpress.com/
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/102649430487593258176/about
Twitter: @UniformedScrubs
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/uniformedscrubs/

Are you in healthcare?  What are your favorite scrubs from Uniformed Scrubs?

 

I was sent a medical scrub top for the purpose of this review.

All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated in any way.

A Father's Day Dessert {From eMeals}

I was recently accepted to be an eMeals blogger.  I had not heard of it, until 4 weeks ago.  What is eMeals? eMeals is a weekly menu plan supscription. They make meal planning simple. Every Wednesday, a new menu plan is posted the week. There are 11 meal plans to choose from:

• Classic meals
• Clean eating
• Paleo
• Slow cooker
• Simple gourmet
• Low carb
• Low fat
• Natural & organic
• Gluten free
• Vegetarian

At any time, you can switch your meal plan.  You also have options to add a breakfast and lunch meal plan, but I have found there's enough food left over that we do not need to add those to the subscription. I have made meals from the clean eating, paleo, natural & organic, and vegetarian meal plans and have been pleased with each.

This coming Sunday is not only Father's Day, but it's also Drew's birthday. He loves eating ice cream, so I was excited to see the Father's Day dessert recipe for Caramel-Brownie Chunk Milkshake. I made this last night as an early birthday treat and was able to put it together in five minutes. I made a few moderations, using cookies and cream ice cream and cookies. Drew stated, "This is very good."

Ingredients

1/2 c milk

4 c vanilla ice cream

3 store bought or homemade brownies, chopped

Caramel or hot fudge topping {optional}

 

Instructions

1. Place milk in a blender.

2. Add ice cream; blend until smooth.

3. Add half of brownies to blender and pulse until blended.

4. Spoon into glasses, drizzle with desired topping.

5. Top milkshakes with leftover brownie bits.

 

Right now if you sign up for eMeals, you can save 15% off the cost with the discount code DADS.

 

I was given a complementary year long eMeals subscription in return for blogging about eMeals. 

All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated in any way.

 

 

 

 

American Flag Shorties {Yarn Along}

I cast off last week's project that I showed on Yarn Along, but I'm lanolizing it right now and blocking it when it's finished.  I'm planning on showing it next week.  I decided to knit a pair of shorties-about 0-3 month size.  I did not use a pattern.  I cast on two pieces-36 stitches on both.  I did a K2, P2 rib for about 12 stitches on the waist band, then did a stockinette stitch.  I eventually joined the two pieces in a round and made a gusset before dividing the legs.  It's not finished yet.  I need to weave in all the ends {a pain} and seam the back and front {another pain}.  I'm hoping and praying that the colors do not bleed when lanolizing the shorties. 

I am reading {FYI: affiliate link} 60 More Quick Baby Knits: Adorable Projects for Newborns to Tots in 220 Superwash Sport from Cascade Yarns.  I love all the patterns in it.  There are 60 patterns listed, but if you're a new knitter, the biggest drawback is that none of the patterns are for a beginner but that would not have stopped me from looking at this book when I was pregnant.  Before getting pregnant, I ONLY knit scarves and dishcloths.  A week before my due date, I sat down and FINALLY figured out how to knit in a round.  I was determined to knit my baby at least one soaker.  Another thing I expected was for there to be all baby/toddler sizes, i.e. newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months, but that's not the case.  I still recommend this book, but wanted to list those two caveats.

What are you reading or knitting?

Join me over at Ginny's Yarn Along.

Psalm 34D {Gratituesday}

Last week during family worship, we sang Psalm 34D from the Book of Psalms for Singing.  As we were singing it, I was crushed.

Jehovah's eyes are toward the righteous ones; His ears are open to their every cry. The LORD's face is against all evil men to cut of memory of them from earth. The righteous cry; Jehovah hears and saves; from all their troubles He delivers them.

The LORD is near to every broken heart, and those who are in spirit crushed He saves. Though many are the trials of the just, the LORD delivers him from every one. For He is safely keeping all his bones; not one of them can ever broken be.

But evil surely shall the wicked slay, and those who hate the just will be condemned. The LORD provides redemption for the soul of everyone who truly serves His will, and none will be condemned among all those who for their only refuge fly to Him.

I was reminded once again that:

• God sees me and He hears me.
• God is near me.
• God provides redemption {through His son Jesus Christ}. It's mentioned that, "not one of them {bones} can ever broken be"

I grumble far too easily about finances, lack of a full time job for Drew, only having one child, living in a one bedroom apartment, but I fail to remember that God has provided for our EVERY need.  Many would love to have a baby/child, but aren't able to have one; we do, though we don't deserve it.  We have a roof over our heads.  How can I be resentful?  It's a sin, and I can't do it on my own strength. God alone can deliver me from these sins.

What are you thankful for?

Starbucks {this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

 

I'm cheating again, but that should not surprise you. It has been raining the last two days, and I got cabin fever. I had a gift card from Starbucks, so I decided to treat Charis to a drink. She immediately chose chocolate milk and was so engrossed in drinking it that she refused to take it down and smile. I bought a decaf latte. Charis and I split a marshmallow dream bar.

 

How was your Friday?

Did you do anything special today?
Linking up at The Tea Trolley.

Braided Longies {Yarn Along}

This past week, I have not completed any knits. I've only knit for 3-4 hours, but I have been busy doing other things, cleaning, walking, organizing, cooking, reading, trying to keep up with Charis, sleeping, etc. During this time of month, I'm more tired than at other times, so I do the necessities and skip the more fun things, like knitting.  Hopefully, next week I'll have more to show.

For now, I'm knitting the braided longies for a loved one who's due in October.  They're with Lamb's Pride worsted; I chose lemon drop {yellow} because the baby's gender will be a surprise.

On Monday, I started reading Little House in the Big Woods with Charis before bed. She even requested it on Tuesday-calling it, "Big Woods".  I'm glad to be reading her a small chapter book.  This is my first time reading a Laura Ingalls Wilder book.  Most people are shocked to learn I have not read any of the Little House books; it's almost as if, reading those books is a rite of passage.

What are you reading or knitting?

Join me at Ginny's Yarn Along.

Betty Crocker Summer Cakes

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Betty Crocker. All opinions are my own, and I received a gift card in exchange for my review.

Every year I was at school, my mum would make ice cream cone cupcakes for my class. I would often help her, but the one thing we constantly had trouble with them tipping over before baking them or while they were baking, which caused a mess with the cake batter. When I looked at Betty Crocker's site for making ice cream cone cakes, I was so excited to see the recommendation from Betty Crocker to place liners in a muffin pan and insert ice cream cones upside down on the batter. I thought, "These should not fall down. I need to try this."

I decided that Charis and I would make these on Saturday.  Last Tuesday, we bought a chocolate cake mix, chocolate icing, and muffin liners. All week Charis had been asking if we could make the ice cream cupcakes, and everyday I told her, "We'll make them on Saturday for the fellowship meal after church on Sunday."  Saturday finally came.  We gathered all the ingredients together and followed the easy step by step directions.

 Please ignore the messy counter.

My daughter "helped" put the batter in the liners.

 Someone decided to help herself to eating the batter.

 Tip: If you overfill the muffin liners, the ice cream

cones will tilt and fall over more easier. If you error,

error on the side of not putting enough batter in

the cones.

The final product. Perfect with a cup of coffee.

With Drew's birthday in less than 2 weeks, I look at Betty Crocker's site for further suggestions on summer birthday cakes.

What cakes do you make for summer birthdays or outings?

Have you every tried baking ice cream cone cakes?