2013 Goals accomplished and those that just didn't get done

1. Read a book for every week of the year. Done with 3 extra read!!!
2. Finish the blue cable knit blanket. Done!
3. Knit something out of my comfort zone. Done, but it is a gift so no pictures at this time.
4. Do something crafty with Charles. My two attempts at Pinterest crafts turned bad so no pictures. I'm counting it because I attempted.
5. Play in the snow. Not getting done. It has been too cold and slippery for this pregnant lady.
6. Rake leaves and jump in. This is another no go.
7. Color eggs and go to a Easter egg hunt. Done, and we enjoyed our time.
8. Try a new recipe. Done, I tried a new recipe at Thanksgiving when I made the Italian Cream Cake.
9. Go tubing or white water rafting. This just didn't happen this summer.
10. Donate 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love. I did this on June 15, 2013.
11. Make or do something on Pinterest. Done see number 4. Plus I am going to attempt a wreath over Christmas break.
12. Do a moviethon with Patrick. We watched quite a few movies this year. Currently we are going through the Harry Potter movies.
13. Encourage others. I believe I have done a decent job at this through various ways. As always I can always try harder.

10 out of 13 complete. Now I have to think of goals for 2014. If you made goals for this year how did you do?

The Big Hair Cut of 2013

Before the cut

 We measured a total of 13 inches from top to bottom of ponytail.

 The front view of my hair for the wedding.

 Side view of my hair for the wedding.

 The back view of my hair for the wedding.

I will be mailing off my ponytail to Locks of Love this week.  

10.Donate 10 inches to locks of love

Summer Reading Programs

So Charles and I are signed up for a summer reading program with our library. I enjoy reading so much. I hope to pass this love on to Charles. His program is rookie readers and is all about getting them to enjoy coming to the library and checking out books for us to read to him. He really enjoys going to the library and already knows exactly where to go in the library for his books. He will pick out a few books and go sit at the table and look at them while I gather a few to check out for him. My program is based on pages read during the summer. There are two goals 1,500 pages equals a gift certificate to a local restaurant, and 2,500 pages equals putting your name in a drawing for $100 chamber bucks that you can use in businesses in town and Carroll 5 movie packages. This is majorly exciting for me because I enjoy reading, so why not keep track of the pages I read in order to get a prize or prizes.

Here are the books I read in May: 4 weeks and 4 books for my book a week goal.
1.) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald; 189 pages. It is set in the 1920's. To see more information check out a recent post of mine.
2.) False Pretenses by Kathy Herman; 389 pages. This book is great. It is set around present day Louisiana. This book is about a young couple setting up an old family home into a bed and breakfast. The home is rich in history and thought to be visited by ghosts if you listen to the locals. Spoiler alert: The family finds out that this home has secret passages that were part of the underground railroad! I would recommend that you read The Sophie Trace series first so that you know some background about the main characters. You will not be lost if you choose not to read this series first but it will help.
3.) Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews; 416 pages. A group of old friends decide to quit just getting together for things like funerals and such. They decide to rent a house at the beach for a month in August. Each friend is going through something: a loss of a job, a marriage on the rocks, and a model that is ready for a change. This is a great book for the summer.
4.) Unashamed by Francine Rivers; 176 pages. This is the 2nd book in the lineage of grace series. This one describes the life and faith of Rahab. This book really makes you think about faith and trust without seeing.

Books that are on deck:
1.) Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood; 357 pages
2.) Dangerous Mercy book 2 in Secrets of Roux River Bayou by Kathy Herman; 408 pages.
3.) Relentless Pursuit book 3 in Secrets of Roux River Bayou by Kathy Herman; 392 pages
~When I finish all three 1157 pages for my summer reading program!!!

Update on 2013 Goals Accomplished

Goals not Resolutions for 2013 These are not in any particular order.
1.Read a book for every week of the year. I will be happy if I read 2 books a month though.
January: 4 weeks and 4 books!
1. Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer 366 pages
2. A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer 348 pages
3. Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma by Janice Hannah 310 pages
4. The Rose Legacy book 1 by Kristen Heitzmann 395 pages
February: 4 weeks and 7 books!
1. Sweet Boundless book 2 by Kristen Heitzmann 350 pages
2. The Tender Vine book 3 by Kristen Heitzmann 382 pages
3. The Real Enemy book 1 by Kathy Herman 376 pages
4. Two Brides Too Many book 1 by Mona Hodgson 304 pages
5. Too Rich a Bride book 2 by Mona Hodgson 306 pages
6. The Bride Who Wore Blue book 3 by Mona Hodgson 288 pages
7. Twice a Bride book 4 by Mona Hodgson 291 pages
March: 4 weeks and 4 books!
1. The Last Word book 2 by Kathy Herman 390 pages
2. Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann 325 pages
3. Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann 322 pages
4. My Wierder School #7 Miss Kraft is Daft by Dan Getman 106 pages
April:
1. Picture Perfect by Janice Thompson 326 pages
2. The Right Call book 3 by Kathy Herman 390 pages
* I am currently reading Between Shades of Gray it takes place in Russia during WWII.
* All of these books are excellent.
2.Finish the blue cable blanket.
3. Knit something out of my comfort zone. This means something besides blankets, scarfs, and rags. I have just the project as soon as I get the blue cable blanket finished.

4. Do something crafty with Charles

5. Play in the snow with the family. I am going to give myself grace here and say taking pictures of Charles looking at the snow/pictures of snow accomplishing this goal. We have had massive winds with our snow. Also, I don't want to purchase snow pants for Charles that he will only wear 1 or 2 times. Lastly, we have had a huge amount of sickness in our home I would rather not aide in any way to another round of sickness.

6. Rake leaves into a pile and jump in.

7. Color eggs with Patrick and Charles and take Charles to an Easter egg hunt.

8. Try a new recipe.

9. Go tubing or white water rafting.

10. Donate 10 inches to locks of love.

11. Make or do something on Pinterest.

12. Do a moviethon with Patrick. Watch a set of movies that are sequels complete with popcorn & candy or cookies.

13.Encourage others: prayers, cards, emails, and phone calls. This is ongoing and I'm praying for the request I know of. I have been sending random cards, emails, and texts.

Another Goal for 2013 Complete

8. Try a new recipe.

Crock Pot Chicken Noodles

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
2 cans of cream of chicken
1/2 stick of butter
2  15 oz cans of chicken broth ( I used Swanson's 32 oz and it turned out great)
24 oz bag of Reames frozen noodles

Directions:
Put 1st four ingredients in crock pot on low for 6-7 hours.
After letting the chicken cook for 6-7 hours on low take the chicken out and shred it.
Put the chicken back in the crock pot after shredding it.
Add your frozen noodles and continue to cook on low for an additional 1-2 hours.
* You can serve this over mashed potatoes. We served mashed potatoes and lima beans with this dish.
* I started this early so we went with 7 hours on low and 2 hours for the noodles and it was excellent! This is so easy and yummy. This makes a lot and is still very delicious as leftovers.
* As always use the crock pot liners they save so much time!!!
* This recipe was given to me from a fellow colleague.

Goal 2 Accomplished

2.Finish the blue cable blanket. On March 4th I reported that I had 16 rows left. Last night I finished knitting the blanket. This morning I sewed in the cast off strand and cut off any extra strands that needed to be removed.

 

I found this pattern on Lion Brand's website. I am adding in the pattern and the few changes I made. I DID NOT COME UP WITH THIS PATTERN.

Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick®

GAUGE: 8 sts = 4 in. [10 cm] over St st (k on RS, p on WS) BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

6/6 RC (right cross of 6 sts over 6 sts) Slip next 6 sts to a cable needle and leave at the back of your work, k 6 sts from your left needle, then k the 6 sts from cable needle.

 6/6 LC (left cross of 6 sts over 6 sts) Slip next 6 sts to a cable needle and leave at the front of your work, k6 sts from your left needle, then k the 6 sts from cable needle.

THROW 

 RIGHT CROSS PANEL (make 3)

 Cast on 24 sts. Knit 2 rows.

 Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, and 17 (RS): K 2, p 4, k 12, p 4, k 2.

 Row 2 and all WS Rows: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Row 13: K 2, p 4, 6/6 RC, p 4, k 2.

Row 18: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Repeat Rows 1-18 7 more times. Then repeat Rows 1-7 once. Knit 2 rows. Bind off.

 LEFT CROSS PANEL (make 2)

 Cast on 24 sts. Knit two rows.

 Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, and 17 (RS): K 2, p 4, k 12, p 4, k 2.

 Row 2 and all WS Rows: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Row 13: K 2, p 4, 6/6 LC, p 4, k 2.

Row 18: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Repeat Rows 1-18 7 more times. Then repeat Rows 1-7 once. Knit 2 rows. Bind off.

 FINISHING

 Sew long edges of 5 panels together alternating Right and Left Cross Panels.

Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES

k = knit

p = purl

RS = right side

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

WS = wrong side

~My changes 7 panels instead of 5 and instead of rows 1-18 7 times I went with 9 times. Size 15 needles instead of size 13 because I knit tight. Yarn: Lion Brand Yarn Hometown USA Washington Denim. I also knitted it as one piece instead of knitting panels and sewing them together. This took 21 balls of yarn. I have most of the 21st ball of yarn left over. I only used ball 21 for the last two rows of the blanket. With my changes I noticed that I could get 8-10 rows off of a ball of yarn which is great since there were 168 stitches in a row.

 

2013 Goals Accomplished So Far

Goals not Resolutions for 2013 These are not in any particular order.
1.Read a book for every week of the year. I will be happy if I read 2 books a month though.
 January: 4 weeks and 4 books!
1. Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer 366 pages
2. A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer 348 pages
3. Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma by Janice Hannah 310 pages
4. The Rose Legacy book 1 by Kristen Heitzmann 395 pages
February: 4 weeks and 7 books!
1. Sweet Boundless book 2 by Kristen Heitzmann 350 pages
2. The Tender Vine book 3 by Kristen Heitzmann 382 pages
3. The Real Enemy book 1 by Kathy Herman 376 pages
4. Two Brides Too Many book 1 by Mona Hodgson 304 pages
5. Too Rich a Bride book 2 by Mona Hodgson 306 pages
6. The Bride Who Wore Blue book 3 by Mona Hodgson 288 pages
7. Twice a Bride book 4 by Mona Hodgson 291 pages
March: I am currently reading The Last Word book 2 by Kathy Herman. I am so excited to be ahead of schedule. I know once the weather is nice this pace will slow down a lot. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the books above.
 2.Finish the blue cable blanket.

 

I am proud to report that I only have 16 rows left to go on this blanket. That include casting off. I will post the finished blanket soon. I started this blanket right after Labor Day.  I have been very hit or miss on the nights I have worked on it, but 6 months is pushing it for this very easy design.

3. Knit something out of my comfort zone. This means something besides blankets, scarfs, and rags. I have just the project as soon as I get the blue cable blanket finished.

4. Do something crafty with Charles 

5. Play in the snow with the family. I am going to give myself grace here and say taking pictures of Charles looking at the snow/pictures of snow accomplishing this goal. We have had massive winds with our snow. Also, I don't want to purchase snow pants for Charles that he will only wear 1 or 2 times. Lastly, we have had a huge amount of sickness in our home I would rather not aide in any way to another round of sickness.

6. Rake leaves into a pile and jump in. 

7. Color eggs with Patrick and Charles and take Charles to an Easter egg hunt.

8. Try a new recipe. 

9. Go tubing or white water rafting.

10. Donate 10 inches to locks of love. My hair is getting on my nerves so this maybe happening before I planned.

11. Make or do something on Pinterest. 

12. Do a moviethon with Patrick. Watch a set of movies that are sequels complete with popcorn & candy or cookies. 

13.Encourage others: prayers, cards, emails, and phone calls. This is ongoing and I'm praying for the request I know of. I have been sending random cards, emails, and texts.

Random

Here is my second attempt at styling my hair a different way:

Pinterest is really helping me change up my boring same old same old hair. Last month was a very sick month for our little guy. He seemed to have one thing after the other. A cold, then a stomach virus, then the flu, and before the flu let go of him RSV attacked. January was a month of sickness and little sleep for everyone in our house. I think I only took 3-5 pictures the whole month. I have been at a stand still with my blue cable blanket--50 rows left. Although I am on track reading. I am on my 6th book of the year! I guess last month was not a total bust but I am hoping for a healthy February. Thank goodness the groundhog said we will have an early SPRING!!!

A Few Things

1. I accomplished one of my goals by trying out a new way to style my hair from a pin on pinterest. Since no accomplishment is really real without a picture. Check out my first attempt:

2. I am on book 4 for week 4 of the year. - Head in the Clouds by Karen Whitemeyer week 1 - A Tailor Maid Bride by Karen Whitemeyer week 2 - Love Finds you in Daisy Oklahoma Janice Hannah week 3 - The Rose Legacy book 1 is the book I'm on for week 4. 3. I have 50 rows left on the blue cable blanket! I hope to be finished by the end of February. 4. Charles has influenza b. Pray that he gets better soon. Poor little fellow had the shot but got the flu anyway. He has one thing after another since September. I am ready for him to feel better! -Pray that he stays dehydrated, rests/sleeps well at naps and at night, that his cough doesn't get worse, for a fast recovery, and that noone else gets sick. 5. What happened to blogger? I no longer have the option to center, left, or right alignment with my writing. Plus even when I space everything out it ends up all together! When I add a picture I see the code but no picture until I hit publish. Spell check is also gone. If you can help me please comment! I guess that is all for now.