This is Going to Take Me a While

I have been knitting for about 35 years now...and besides a few baby blankets, I have never knit an afghan. It just never really came about. Until now.



I was originally going to make a "stash" blanket and use up tons of yarn that I have from leftover projects. But I came across this pretty green yarn at Michael's and so the stash project will have to wait. With our 10 hour drive to and from the beach a few weeks ago, I thought that it would be the perfect time to start. But first I had to find a pattern. There are no less than of a zillion of them I think. But I settled on the "Linus". It is only a 3 row pattern that is pretty easy to remember.

In case you're interested..... You need a worsted weight yarn and a size 10 circular needles.

Directions: For a large afghan cast on 210 sts., for a small one cast on 144 sts. Pattern is a multiple of 11 sts. + 1.

Row 1: K1, *yo, K3, K2 tog, K2 tog, K3, yo, K1. Repeat from* to end.

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: Knit

Repeat rows 1-3 until desired lenghth.

I actually didn't start it until the ride home. And after an hour or so, had only an inch or two done. My hubs made the comment that he thought it was going to take a long time to finish. Ya THINK????????? I'm am knitting away on it, a little bit every day....I still don't know who I will give it to, or maybe I will keep it for myself???? That would be a major treat!

And They Came...Two by Two

They keep coming in pairs.....now I have a pair of hermit crabs and a pair of dwarf frogs. REEAAAAlllYYYY....At this point I'm just going for the Mom of the Year Award. Do you remember the pair of baby ducks I had???? Well, they are gone...Chip released them and hopefully they are paddling around a pond somewhere. And they have been replaced by the crabs we got at the beach and frogs.



Cub is thrilled and is taking very good care of his crabs. Misting their shells, putting them on the carpet for some exercise, and seeing to it they have food and water. The frogs are very easy...he only has to feed them once a week and change the water every 2 months. ?????????? He sits on a little stool in front of them and watches them. He also made a mobile for them to look at. I can't complain....I just hope he's making happy childhood memories :)

Peanut Butter Cup Pie

If you're looking for a super easy dessert that every chocolate peanut butter lover will like......look no further. I've had this recipe for the longest time and just tried it for the first time yesterday when I had my husband's sister's family over for dinner. It literally took 15 minutes to put together....then just 4 hours to chill.

Here's what you need:

1 package (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup, plus 1 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter, divided
1 cup cold milk
1 package (3.4 oz.) vanilla flavor instant pudding
2 1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip Topping, divided
1 Oreo pie crust
3 squares Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate (I forgot to get this when I was at the store...so I used about a 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips that I had on hand and it worked out fine :)

How to make it:

1. Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup peanut butter until well blended. Add milk and dry pudding mix; beat 2 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup Cool Whip; spoon into crust.

2. Microwave remaining Cool Whip and chocolate in microwave bowl on high about 1 min. 30 sec., or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute. Cool completely.

3. Spread chocolate mixture over pudding layer in crust. Microwave remaining peanut butter in small bowl about 30 seconds, stir. Drizzle over pie. ( I put it in a small plastic Ziploc bag and cut the corner off) Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.

Really.....believe me, this is super easy and really yummy...it tastes like you really slaved over it.

I'm linking up over at my friend Jennifer Juniper's great linky party....if you have something to teach her, stop over and link up too!

Favorite Friday

I'm so excited to share my favorite thing with you all this week......my O Cedar Promist mop.....Yup, a MOP!! Can you believe the Treatgirl has never owned a mop??? I have been washing floors on my hands and knees FOR.EVER. When the WetJet came out several years ago, I was a smidge tempted to try it just for little spills etc...but never did. Well...I've had my eye on this mop for a few months now, and I actually asked for it for my birthday. When my mom was in town visiting she treated me to it. It's been in my laundry room for several weeks now and I actually just busted it out this week.

I loooooooooooove it and give it 5 stars! You can mix up whatever cleaning solution for the refillable bottle that you like, and the cleaning cloth is washable up to 100 washes. It velcros onto the bottom of the mop... you can also use Swiffer cloths on it...so it does double duty. I'm convinced a woman invented this. It is totally my new best friend. Get one!!! Be happy with me!!!

Topsail

The Treatgirl and her family slipped away to the quiet beach of North Topsail, North Carolina last week. It was our first time there and it was lovely! VERY quiet....and the beach was gorgeous! I loved running in the morning along side the shrimp boats and dolphins has they bobbed just off shore. (And trust me...the Treatgirl isn't big on running....so it had to be amazing to get me out there!!!)



Cub barely got dry the whole week......the waves were PER.FECT for being out on his boogie board.



We were so happy to spend the week with my cousin, her husband and little girl. We all had fun doing a tye dye project and the little ones made stepping stones. Also, Scrabble Flash was always out on the table in the kitchen for the adults to play. There was also plenty of time to build sand castles.



And of course they spent hours with the Daddy's and a net collecting little sand crabs. They had zillions of them in this bucket.



You can just see the fishing pier beyond me in the background....I couldn't get over how those fishermen were out there morning, noon and night. Our bedroom was on the the ocean side and I'd peek out there and see them fishing at all hours of the night. CRAZY??!!

Topsail is very tiny....Just a few shops, a Food Lion, and a restaurant. I was searching for a new favorite long sleeve t-shirt, like this one I got at my mom's last year, but even the t-shirt selection was remote :)



Tish and Cub had a fabulous week together....playing and splashing at the beach and the pool.



A last glimpse of the beach before we headed home. It was such a nice week to be with my family all week....just us. Now it's back to friends, activities, work and all the other stuff. Happy summer!!

An Official Member

Casey Anthony is now an official member of the O.J. Simpson club. May little Caylee rest in peace.

Favorite Friday

My favorite this week is this view from the deck of our house at the beach! The Treat Girl has been away relaxing with her family this past week....and I just couldn't get enough of the beach... It was perfect. More on that...next week.....Have a terrific holiday weekend everyone!!