"Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least." ~Goethe~

08 March 2010

What a weekend!

This past weekend started out as any other.
Plans of just hanging around the house and maybe doing some yard work.
Well, that didn't happen exactly how we "planned".

After watching a few shows on PBS the past month on ancestry and seeing the one show Friday night (Who do you think you are?) we finally decided to do some searching of our own.  Now mind you, Glenn and I have talked about this for YEARS and never did anything.  Saturday morning after breakfast, found us in front of the computer signing up at Ancestry.com.  And off we went on our adventure.  We didn't think we would be able to get very far.  At least not the first day.

Let's just say that after nearly all day Saturday and early morning Sunday, we have Glenn's fathers side traced back to the early 1600's and his Mom's side to the early 1800's.  Glenn has mostly German ancestors and a mix of Irish, Scottish, Dutch and Canadian.  Heinz 57 you know.  Not a bad mix.

On my side definitely German from my mom, which has only been traced back to her grandparents so far.  We were stopped on my fathers side back in the early 1800's in Tennessee.  There is a possibility of English ancestry there but not sure.  So I'm a mix of German, Cherokee, and maybe English.

It was all very exciting to see those little green leaves popping up on the screen when names were added, after info was matched and was verified.  Thanks goodness there were others before us who did alot of work.  We would have never made it as far as we did without the help.  It's kind of neat to know things about the people you came from so you have some sense of what makes you "YOU".  Can't wait to see what else can be found out by my Aunt in Germany so we can continue back even further.  The suspense is awful.

Eventually we made it outside Sunday to enjoy the sun and fresh air.  A little yard work was done.  The yard doesn't look as bad now.  I just about wet my pants when cleaning out the front flower bed and saw my Peony plants sprouting!  I planted roots last year and nothing happened.  I thought they rotted or something.  But when I saw those red shoots coming out of the ground, I just about threw a party!  I called everyone over to show where they were so there are no mishaps to those gorgeous little shoots.  I can't wait to see if the colors are just as wonderful as the picture on the label was.  Cross your fingers!

Late last night I finally picked up the sweater after a whole 2 days of no knitting!  I know shocking.  I was beginning to wonder if something was wrong with me also.  I started on the cable part this morning after getting up early.  It's not as hard as I thought cabling would be.  I'm even working them without a cable needle and all is fine so far.  Probably not perfect, but I'm pleased.  More of that tonight.
I did pick up a hook the other day to try out an idea that was running through my head.  I've got all this sock yarn sitting about with all the gorgeous colors and no socks being made.  I thought why not make another wonderful scarf from some of it.  Well, that is what I'm doing.  Just trying to find the right pattern to do this gorgeous colored yarn some justice.  I think I may have "found" it.  More on that later.

Off to finish the soup for supper and make some yummy chocolate chip mint cookies.  Absolutely awesome on a very cool and damp day like today.  I'll dig out the recipe and share in a day or two.  They are to die for.

04 March 2010

You have to try this!

These are the absolute best!  Especially on a day like today when it's raining out and the house is filled with the smell of "banana bread".  They make a damp, chilly day easier to deal with.

Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip cookies

1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1-2 tsp. cinnamon
2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 c. quick oats
6 oz. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla.  Mix in the mashed bananas until well mixed.  Combine the flour, baking soda and cinnamon.  Add to the bowl slowly and mix until everything is mixed well.  Add the oats and chocolate chips.  Mix well.

Drop by rounded teaspoons on to your cookie sheet.  Bake for 10-12 mins.  Remove from oven to cool.  
Enjoy with a big glass of milk!



01 March 2010

Noticing color...

my yummy jar of M&M's

the gorgeous purple sweater and how it looks in the morning sun.
I'm loving the detail of the arm area.  Can't wait till I get to the cable area.
My first!
Now just to decide if I want to use a cable needle or not.
Probably not.
Oh the adventure!
I'm giddy!

all the pretty colored yarn in the first morning light

tons of bright pencils
(the little people around here keep telling me that they need more and have nothing to write with)

noticing that little B no longer needs my help with her favorite puzzles
and quite possibly they are the reason why pink is her favorite color as of late

and the brightly colored jump ropes that little ones have been feverishly practicing with the past two weeks.

It all put quite the smile on my face this morning.
What a FAB start to the week!