barb's review

If you haven't seen the movie or read the book

Water For Elephants...

Do both!

It makes for excellent viewing and reading

and will take you back in time.

b



knitting in color

Sometimes I feel just a little color blind as I knit.

I always lean towards the safe colors...

gray, block, brown, tans.

The last trip to the yarn shop

 I made myself step out of my safe zone and bought bright colors!

Pretty right?

I'm loving this blue yarn as it runs through my fingers.

Mr. b picked it out, blue is his favorite color.

In this super bulky yarn it will be a very warm headband.

b

something to talk about

We are certainly having our share of weather today...

rain

snow

sunshine

wind

Always something to talk about I suppose.

The weekend is almost here...

I hope my quest for healthy living doesn't get blown to bits....

weekends are always the toughest.

b



dreams

What are you dreaming about today?

b



listen to your mother

Eat your vegetables!

I'm not good at eating my vegetables...

usually don't even think of them.

Well...unless they have cream, butter and/or cheese on them.

Mr. b and I like this vegetable soup

called Life Saver Soup.

And it's a good chance to use up last summers produce.

I was lucky enough to have lots of tomatoes.

A friend gave me carrots.

Doesn't it look healthy?

No recipe needed...

Any and all vegetables you like (canned, fresh or frozen),

 dry onion soup, and your choice of seasonings.

Cook until done.

Enjoy a cup with meals or even between meals.

b



Just zip it!

New in my little etsy shop...



all three sweet enough for Valentine's Day!

b



National Pie Day

In honor of

National Pie Day...

and an excuse to run the oven on a cold wintry day...

I dug out my favorite dough bowl

and rolling pin...

 I love those red handles.

Do you like to use a pastry cloth to roll out your dough too?

I've been using this same pie plate for many years,

I bet the kids fight over it some day, ha ha.

Well, that was easy!

Maybe I'll get out the ice cream freezer and crank up some ice cream too.

Happy National Pie Day!

b



more pouches

Yes, all purrrfect reasons to buy fat quarters...

b



sewing room fun

From my sewing room...

and headed for my etsy shop.

b



military plans

I've been watching "Army Wives"

and really getting into it.

It has inspired me to approach life like the Army...

Plan...

...on getting healthier!

And it helps to have lots of fruit and vegetables on hand.

Attack!

My recipe box is a disaster...

it's getting organized soon!

And conquer...

I did begin organizing my sewing room over the holidays.

It took a dozen clear plastic storage boxes

 but it is so nice to have everything separated and stored.

What are your plans for 2012? 

b



wool

It's cold here today...only 11 degrees.

Saw this idea on a blog to cut out liners for your shoes out of felted wool.

What a great idea huh?

The office I work at has a cement floor.

I'm loving these new scissors the mr gave me for Christmas.

They are gingher's, very nice for my sewing projects.

I got this Elsebeth Lavold angora yarn in the mail today

and wow is it ever soft.

It will be knitted into cowls by daughter knit and pearl and I.

Keep warm...

I'll let you know about those insoles.

b



favorite things...

It was the perfect 3-day weekend for us...

a little fun,

a little shopping,

a little cleaning,

and a lot of relaxing!

I was putting things away when I discovered I

 hadn't shown you any of our Christmas goodies!

Mr b loves his popcorn...

I would say he is a connoisseur.

 I love a good cup of coffee.

Isn't this chicken too cute?

Mr b and his silly golf club covers!

Would you believe he had one of them stolen?

I was due for some new Mickey Crocs.

These were just a few of our favorite things.

It was a very good Christmas for us.

b



show and tell

I made these little smocks for the granddaughters for Christmas.

This granddaughter just loves dogs.

Don't know how her parents are ever going to tell her no on a puppy some day?

Like us they have two cats.

I love sewing with novelty prints!

This is the back with two buttons.

I thought the tops resemble clothing children wore in the 1950's.

So sweet then, still sweet now.

b



chilly forecast

Thanks to the weatherman

 and his chilly weather forecast two days ago...

I was able to get this cowl/neck warmer knit up in time to wear today.

And I haven't taken it off all day!

This was a super easy and a quick project to whip up

 in bulky yarn on size 13 circular needles.

I think it's incentive to learn how to knit if you don't already know how.

Stay warm. b



comfort food

It's being winter here today...

Had a little snow and ice earlier with lots of wind.

Now that's what South Dakota winters are supposed to be like!

Of course a snowy day calls for comfort food.

Like the kind your grandmother used to make right?

How about some potato pancakes with bacon and applesauce on the side?

Which is also my favorite thing to order at Perkins.

The rest of the potatoes went into a big kettle of potato soup for supper.

I love winter...

b

new bag

There's a new bag in town...

Ride 'Em Cowboy!

This was a fun bag I completed last week.

I love that red.

Can you see the fun lining?

Side ties are out of the same fabric.

As soon as I come up with a description for it...

It will be in my DakotaMaid shop.

Anyone know an ol'bag that needs a new bag?

b



boring

Despite the wonderful weather we're having...

January is still January...boring.

Pearl is tired of winter too.

Don't you wish you could sleep your way

through the month of January?

Maybe all winter!

b



day at the beach

A "Day at the Beach"

mini quilt by daughter knit and pearl...

and all original!

Isn't it just too cute?

and there's a surprise under the purple and white towel...

I mean where else do you hide your underwear at the beach to keep them safe?

b



winter coat?

Where in the world is Knit and Pearl?

It will most likely reach 65 degrees here in South Dakota today.

On the fifth of January that is unheard of here.

But I'm hanging up my winter coat...

(just for today)

opening a window to let the fresh air in...

and just enjoying it!

b



extra extra

I have been looking for this newspaper print fabric a long time.

Well, I forgot to look in my own neighborhood.

Found it in the very cute quilt shop 20 miles from home.

Yes, in South Dakota we consider 20 miles afar

 as being in the neighborhood.

I needed a little something extra to put in the bosses gift bag...

and this is perfect for the publisher and editor that she is.

Did you notice my etsy name on the lower left of the photo?

Dakota Maid

Check me out today, I added another new bag.

b



Happy New Year

It was a fun New Year's Day

with the whole family here to celebrate.

And daughter knit and pearl wasn't going home

until she got mama on etsy.

She is one determined girl.

I am thrilled to finally be listed on etsy...

check out my button to the right.

I will be Dakota Maid.

You can find all kinds of wonderful and unique

 handmade and vintage items on Etsy.

I love shopping there and hope to now sell as well.

b