Coffeeswap

My WIP are two baby blankets, a scarf and some dishrags and I haven't worked on any of them. Our springtime has finally arrived. Snow is all gone, the trees are showing more green every day and the sun is shining. It is great after all the snow. I just love it. We have 4 more days of school left and the kids are really exited as I am. I hope you all have a wonderful summer.

coffee swap

Here are some pictures of the wonderful package I received from my secret pal. Edit: Silly me, I forgot to tell you who it was! She's not a secret now - my amazing pal was Cindy! I am drinking some of the coffee she sent me while I'm trying to post these pictures.I loved everything she sent, the coffee, wonderful stitch markers, cashew and macademia nuts, an afghan crochet hook, a cute duck letter opener, a nice little home made bag as well as a great cup and saucer for me to enjoy my coffee. I love the Bamboo yarn and the pattern for a scarf and hat. I will post when I have completed one of the items, and everything arrived here on the 22nd and it truly made my day. Thank you so very much.

Did I say that spring had arrived in Alaska?????

Have a great week everyone. Ingrid

coffee swap

Sorry that I missed the post for last week's topic, but... I can't remember it was over 50 years ago and I truly don't remember. I do remember taking a trip to Holland with my dad on a train to meet my grandfather and the first stop across the border had vendors coming, selling coffee with lots of cream and sugar and a cookie on the side and I do know that I had some coffee there and I think I was probably about 10+ years old or should I say young lol. As to this weeks topic , I would plant a vegetable garden, some flowers and certainly an herb garden. I love fresh herbs in the summertime and I would need the flowers to look at. I don't plant a garden anymore but we go to a you pick it farm almost every summer and that is lots of fun.

I got my swap package yesterday and what a wonderful package it is. I already took pictures and will post them tonight.

We have wonderful sunshine and temps is the low 50's, yeah its beginning to look a lot like springtime with most of the snow gone. Til next time stay happy and enjoy your coffee, I will.

coffee swap

Hello everyone in coffee swap land. Hope you all have a better spring than we have. Once again it is snowing hard and really and truly I can hardly stand it. As for topic no. 2. No I have not switched to lighter yarn or different projects. It will be awhile before it gets warm enough here to not want to deal with wool. I am planning on going to my knitting/crocheting class tonight (if it stops snowing) and I promise that I will post pictures tomorrow. Have a wonderful week everyone and I'll just keep warm by drinking another cup of Kona with Pumpkin spice coffee. Bye

topic of the week

I went to Jennifer's blog and she likes some of the same coffee I do. It took my checking several blogs to find someone that likes a light roast. I'm glad that I'm not the only one. Also, right now I'm crocheting a baby blanket and still trying to finish my first sock. Hopefully one of these days I can show the finshed

Chan's blogiversary

Go over to Chan and wish her a happy blogiversay and participate in her contest. Hope everyone is having a very happy easter. Ingrid

Spring Fling Coffee Swap Questionnaire

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?

I prefer Ground.

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?

Light, fresh roast - I'm not a fan of dark roast AT ALL. With caffeine of course!

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?

Dunkin Donuts!

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?

Both.

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?

I used to enjoy Cinnamon Hazelnut coffee, but not anymore. I'm a plain jane girl.

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?

Small dainty cup!

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!

The first cup out of the pot with some half and half; sit down, and just drink and enjoy it - before anyone is up. I like to drink my first cup of coffee all myself.

8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?

A slice of pound cake or a piece of pie - though I shouldn't!

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?

Crochet

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?

I like all kinds of yarns - especially soft ones. I don't like the feel of wool if it's scritchy scratchy!

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?

A baby blanket

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash?

I really like ALL colors!

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?

I use metal hooks. I really abhor plastic ones, but I've never really tried wooden.

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?

Tape measures! I have a ton. Stitch markers for crochet are always welcome.

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?

I would buy the bamboo because I've never tried it.

Spring

1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?

Nooo... I live in Alaska, and right now it's sunny, but probably about 25 degrees or so, definitely not very spring-ish!

2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?

Yes, but I'm not sure what it is in English - in German it's called a "Schneeglockchen" which directly translates to Snow Bell. I also like crocuses and tulips.

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?

No snow and ice! That might not happen until April for us though!

4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?

Gosh I don't know - maybe I'd go out for a walk with Avery, the baby I babysit.

5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?

No, rain doesn't really impact my mood. I might read a book, drink some coffee and just enjoy being inside.

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?

Interesting handled butter spreaders. (the flat, kind of curved knife - I can't think of the name right now!)

2. Are you allergic to anything?

no

3. Do you have pets?

We have a dog named Dash - a lively beagle.

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?

I was in the last two dishcloth swaps, and the last Coffee Swap.

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.

I only really know of two offhand..

www.yarnfamily.com (My daughters' blog) and the Friday Night Knitters Group blog from my LYS.

I've been busy

Here are some pictures of the dishcloth I've been crocheting. Our weather has been almost springy here in Alaska. Just had a great lunch with Martina and Katie and I'm actually pretty full and wanting to take a nap. The dog wants to go out and play but once he is outside he runs. Well I'll go for now. Everyone have a great rest of springbreak, I sure do.

Happy Birthday, Momma!

See that lady? That's my momma. She had a birthday on Tuesday and spent some nice time with my niece and sister.

I sat yesterday talking to a good friend at work, and told him how there's no way I'll ever be able to pay my mom back for all the time's she's bailed me out - all the times she's been there for me when I didn't really deserve for someone to be - all the times she's been the best mom a girl could ask for.

I used to hate it when people compared me to her, or called me "Little Ingrid" - now I'm old enough to realize what a great compliment that is.

Hope you had a wonderful day, Mom - sorry I couldn't spend the day with you. I love you.

Annie

Dishcloth Swap

On question no. 4, I stay busy, watching Jake play soccer, going to the club and swim, sit around and read, drink tea and coffee, and crochet from time to time. But in general just stay as busy as I can because we have a long winter.

On question no. 5--I would sit on the beach in a very warm place read a great book or two, have a quiet, yummy lunch and just be lazy. And if money was no object, I would try and take Martina and Anne with me.

Keep warm everyone!!!!

this and that and dishcloth swap

Let me start out by telling my secret pal that I received her package on Saturday and it certainly made my day brighter. Georgeanne, thank you so much for everything. The little purse is so cute and my granddaughter wanted it right away because it has a bug on it and she is "Katie Bug". The dishcloth are so pretty, almost don't want to use them and wont for a while. I love the yarn and the stitch markers (did you make them yourself?). The lotion and soap will come in handy. I thought it was pretty funny that you spoiled me and I had spoiled you in the fall. LOL.


On another matter, when I do post pictures you will see the sock I am crocheting in its glory in December and what it looks like now. I've been lazy and have not worked on it for awhile, but will start again soon. With being sick and not wanting to go out in the cold I've not been going to my weekly crocheting class.

Here's how the sock looked in December:

And here's how far I am now:
As for the weekly topic I will take pictures and post as soon as I round up all my yarn. My yarns are not sorted. All are in large container and I have to pull out my cottons. So sorry.

Hope everybody is staying warm. I'm rtying to. We are having a real bad cold spell right now. Yesterday morning it was -15 and its supposed to be colder today. I will go for now and have myself a nice, hot cup of tea.

Topic of the week

I call them dishrag and washcloth. But when I was selling them at bazars I called them dishcloth because people would rather buy a dishcloth then a dishrag. LOL. And when I was growing up, my mother called them a dishrag or a washrag. I think its a matter of what you feel most comfortable with. Have a great day all. Ingrid

dishcloth exchange answers

Hello everyone and happy new year. Here are my answers to the questions for the exchange:

1. I crochet only

2. I use mostly metal hooks

3. Whatever colors I see and like and at this time I'm not looking for any specific yarn.

4. Bath is cream and sage; kitchen is black and dark blue and some stainless steel.

5. I actually like all colors

6. Right now, this minute I wish winter was over because it just keeps snowing and when it stops snowing it is really cold.

7. Play with the kids I babysit or if I have the time I drink a cup of coffee or tea and read a funny book.

8. Nibble on some yummy nuts or eat some cookies (which are a no no for me)

9. I love coffee and tea but don't drink cocoa.

10. Go to a warm place, lay on the beach, swim, read and relax

11. I have no allergies

winterwonderland coffeeswap

hello everyone, Angela's package finally arrived. It was late but thru no fault of hers. She mailed the package on the 10th and it arrived in Anchorage on the 15th but was delivered to my old address (across the street from where I live now). The girls that live there just put it in a corner and forgot about it. After Christmas I finally started checking because I thought the package should be here by now and after phone calls and messages(to make sure they had the package), Martina went over there and got it. Thank you so much Angela. I loved everything you sent. The Patton yarn has wonderful colors and I trying to figure out what I want to make with it. Can't wait to try the crochet hook with th light. I am already drinking some of the coffee as in right now. All the gingerbread ornaments and the little cup are precious. Had to defend the cup because my granddaughter Katie wanted it because its sooooo cute. I'll keep the nuts an dnibble on them while watching the superbowl. Thank you so very much for being so thoughtful. I appreciate and love everything you sent. Ingrid

Topic of the week

Hello, everybody--my favorite winter pastime is sitting by a fire while it is snowing outside, reading a great book, drinking a cup of my favorite coffee and nibble on some cookies and listening to some Christmas songs. We had a Christmas cookie exchange last night and I have lots of cookies to choose from. Have fun in the snow if you have any, if not, enjoy being in warm weather!!

Topic of the Week

I love my first cup of coffee in the morning (sometimes I pour before the pot is done brewing). I love to savor it alone, lights still off and plan my day ahead, but I also love a cup of coffee with friends, some cake or cookies to nibble and rain or snow pouring down. If all my friends are busy, I have a book keep me company.

Misc news

Hello everybody. So sorry for not posting in a while. I have been very busy with my Church. We collect food every Thanksgiving and in conjunction with other Churches and our local Food Bank we have a Thanksgiving Blessing. Our Church is one of the pick up points i.e. if you live at a certain zip code you come to our church with a piece of mail that shows your zip code and then you shop for your Thanksgiving dinner that feeds a family of 5. If you have a larger family then you shop for a larger family. The dinner includes everything to prepare a meal starting with turkey, vegetables, potatoes, apples, pie shells, gravy mix, dressing mix, etc.. While you wait for your turn there is coffee, tea, cake, and pie. We have a children room for coloring, drawing, books to read or be read to and face painting. If a person wishes to pray, there is a prayer room and people to pray with you.

This year we passed out 600 meals to feed 3,000 + people and city wide various churches to cover all zip codes in Anchorage served a total of 4,180 meals to feed 20,900+ people. I feel very fortunate to work with our Church and it makes my Thanksgiving so much better.

As for my family we are fine. We've had snow and will have a white Thanksgiving. Today my daughter Anne arrived in Virginia to spend Thanksgiving with her friend Chan and family. Thank you guys for giving her a family to celebrate the holiday with.

I will go to my crocheting class tonight. We will have a little party and I will post pictures in the next 2 days.

All of you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Topic of the week

I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends her in Alaska, Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, Texas, Hawaii, Germany, Colorado and all over the United States. Have a blessed Thanksgiving all.

Topic of the week

Here is my answer to the weekly topic.

I haven't crochet a whole lot since my girls grew up but am doing a lot now that I am involved in all these wonderful swaps. This year I will be crocheting a pair of socks for myself and some small items to give away as presents and I will try to maybe crochet something for Katie's American doll and a coat for her new (stuffed) dog Shimmer. We'll see. I will post pictures as I get along but not until after Thanksgiving, since I'm helping our church with an event to help those in need.

My Lovely Package from KT!

As promised, here are the much delayed photos of the awesome package I got from KT! Thank you again for spoiling me so well!