Dear Santa,

I realize it has been a very long time since you have received a letter from me. My how the times have changed since I can now email you and read your blog to keep up to date on the happenings at North Pole Inc. Glad the Elves strike is over. I hope you do go ahead and start your podcast next year. I’m looking forward to it. I also do not have my driver’s license. I don’t have my sleigh license either.

You’re probably wondering why a 30–something woman is writing a letter to you. Or maybe you’re used to that. I suspect you’ve been “around the block a few times” and have really seen it all, so I guess you’re really  not that surprised.

I’m writing to you because I don’t know where else to turn. I only want one thing this Christmas. In fact, Bandit and I both want the same thing. We want his cancer to go into remission and for him to live a long happy life. So that’s it. The one gift I want for Christmas. I know it’s not an easy one, like the year I got my easy-bake oven, but what did you expect from a 30–something year old, anyway. I know you know how old I am, but there’s no need to post that here for all to see.

Ross says to take it easy on the fat content this Christmas. I was thinking of campaigning for rice cakes and skim milk for Santa, but perhaps you’re lactose intolerant, in which case, you could have that lactose-free milk. It’s actually quite good.

Have a safe flight :)

Love,

Amanda and Bandit

This year, since I didn’t really have much of a wish list, hubby was kind of on his own to figure out what to get me this year. He bought me a Citizen Eco Drive (this is the watch). The watch that is powered by light. Natural or not. It never needs a battery. It’s water resistant. It’s casual, yet dressy. I’m awful with watches. The battery runs out – then I just never wear it again. I’m not one for changing batteries. lol I now have the perfect watch. I love it.

Other items that I received this year include:

Mason Dixon Knitting

Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire

Fiskars Wire Jig Kit (it’s so awesome! I’ll post pictures of it soon.) The Fiskars website doesn’t show the kit, but on their wire tools page you can see what is in the kit. In it is everything from Wired Pliers down. Mom and Amber also got one! So exciting!

silky jammies

5 pairs of warm/Christmas socks

Knit Lite knitting needles (so cool!)

lots of bamboo needles

3 handmade necklaces, bracelet and earrings from Boo Yay!

handmade (F&*% Off I’m Knitting) mug (the word is actually spelled out on the mug lol)

Dukes of Hazzard season 2 on DVD …..

God bless wikipedia! The history about the jolly old man is a joy to read and has me finally in the Christmas spirit, despite the lack of snow or wrapped gifts at our house. :)

Read about Santa Claus and did you know that he’s Canadian?? You’re looking for Territorial Claims to the  North Pole.

Enjoy!

Her Wants...

PJ’s

Mason Dixon Knitting

2007 Knitting Pattern-a-Day calendar

Wig Jig (mom,  you know what that is!)

Subscription to:

Interweave Knits (mine will expire in Jan 2007)

Crochet Today!

Simply Knitting (UK Magazine)

socks

homemade gifts – jewellery, knitted, crocheted, stitched, cooked, photo’d, wood… painted… drawn… umm… baked (not fried)….

yarn – crafty stuff

storage for crafty stuff – lol

new towels!! White, different shades of blue, tans, browns (so really, I’ll take any!)

and really, I’m just throwing ideas out there. I don’t really have a wish list other than Mason Dixon, handmade gifts, mag subscriptions and pjs. :)

xoxo

Edited...

He Wants

Under Armor (for running, loose fit, short sleeve, NO golf shirt style - regular tshirt style)

donations to Tour For Kids

homemade gifts

MEC gift cards (you can now pay with Debit on mec.ca.... woohoo!)

Silkweight long-sleeve crew (probably a Med., in hudson blue)

Turtle Red LED Light (we always need these! Bandit does too!)

and these (for road tires)(doesn't have to be this brand, just wanted to show a picture!)

Ok, I’m a year behind Mind of Winter, but I love these lace leaves!

I see a new project in my future. I’ve also realized that I cannot post any photos of finished items! How ridiculous is that? I’ve made so many things and yet, no pics allowed! After Christmas I’m going to be so busy posting! lol

Now you can crochet with the lights off. This allows you to crochet while your husband sleeps soundly next to you! ha! Check out the NeedleLite Lighted Crochet Hook available on eBay! This is on my Christmas Wishlist, folks. Thanks to Hooked on Crochet for the link!

Be careful with me this year. I have a new policy. If I feel you have not been particularly nice to me this year, I’ve found the gift for you. I’ll probably make a couple to have on standby just in case.

Patons Chunky Knits (Book # 500948)

Pattern: Cabled Pullover With Hood

Yarn: Shetland Chunky in High Plains Variegated.

Needles: 6mm Bamboo Circulars (divine)

Pattern book, 10 balls of yarn and the needles, were all Christmas gifts! My family thought it was time I made something for myself.

Completed to date: Back and part of the front (with right pocket). I'm about to join on the left pocket. I used the tubular cast-on method for the bottom ribbing. It's perfect. :)

Pictures coming soon....

Tubular cast-on links:

Amelia Raitte: My Fashionable Life

Knitting Techniques by Mary Ellen Meisters

Note: I'll write out my method later and post it for everyone since I like a little bit of this and a little bit of that. :)

This morning I shovelled snow, made coffee, made some Christmas gifts, and made some Christmas goodies. Here’s what I did and things I would differently next time!

Rachel’s Chocolate Mint Balls

1 pkg chocolate (I used Decadent semi-sweet chocolate chips – this is too sweet! Use UNsweetened chocolate!)

condensed milk (again I used sweetened – use UNsweetened!)

icing sugar (this is why everything else needs to be unsweetened – this is your main ingredient)

Peppermint extract

In a bowl, mix icing sugar, condensed milk and some drops of peppermint extract. You’ll have to keep tasting it until it’s a nice After Eight’s kind of minty. You need the mixture to be thick enough to form it into small balls.

Melt the chocolate. I melted it in the microwave on Med. for 2 minutes - check it – then a minute and a bit - check it – it needs to be runny, but be careful not to burn it. (I did that!) Rachel suggests using a pot with water in the bottom (boiling) and putting a bowl over the pot. Melt the chocolate in the bowl. (She saw that on Martha Stewart.)

Put some parchment paper or waxed paper on a cookie sheet. Put some blobs of chocolate on the paper - this will be the bottom of your chocolate mint balls. This is how we get chocolate on the bottom. Form your sugary mixture into balls and place on top of the blobs. Then you need to coat the blobs with the melted chocolate, making sure no white is showing. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer. It’s a good idea to keep them in the freezer until maybe an hour before  you eat them.

Also, once they are frozen, I would package them up in a cookie tin with waxed paper liner - being careful to not have them touching. Use waxed paper between layers. A great gift.

Later this week - or maybe even today, I will be making truffles! More on that later!

 

 

Santa, laughter… what more could you want?

I forgot my lovely PURL/Pearl: The Knitting Fairy cross stitch pattern! I bought her at the show! Mom bought Thimbelina: The Needlework Fairy and I actually want her too. Maybe I'll order myself one. They are so darned cute!

Other Lynne Nicoletti patterns that I have:

Canada Geese & Hockey Player.

Pattens by Lynne Nicoletti that I want to have:

The Play's the Thing (Shakespeare), CN Tower & Flat Iron Building & Thimbelina: The Needlework Fairy.

Is soon coming to a theatre near  you! The Chronicles of Narnia is set to be in theatres December 2006. There is of course a PlayStation game too. I'm thrilled. I'm aquiver with anticipation. I absolutely cannot wait to see this movie.

A new book, just released by our fantastical re-writer of your favourite childhood fairly tales - adult-style, is Son of a Witch!  A sequel to Wicked.

Would you believe that  the musical Wicked is returning to the Canon Theatre in October 2006? So guess what I want for Christmas?

Must have this mug...

I'm thinking of making this "Big Teacup" Tea bag holder for the big Christmas party at work. I actually get two parties every year. I thought this one would be fun!

I need Prolific Knitting Machine by TapDancing Lizard Publications. It's available in ebook format or you can purchase it on CD. I really want it!

"How to make friends with your knitting machine and get it to do the work!"

 

My step-mom Marian works for Aisling Discoveries. They work with many shelters and donated hand-knit or crocheted items will be distributed to the needy. Little baby hats and baby mitts and hats, scarves and mitts for children 12 and under. Don't forget their mommies :) Any donations of gently used items - toys, strollers, high chairs, baby seats, swings, etc are appreciated!

Some other charity organizations to donate items to:

Covenant House

Out of the Cold (our hospital does "Out of the Cold Sock Gifts")

CHUMCity Christmas Wish (drop off locations)

Cubs for Kids

Happy crafting :)

Imagine my surprise when I opened Elizabeth, Figurine of the Year for 2003 from Royal Doulton. Ross bought her for me. I cried my eyes out! I made my mother-in-law cry too! She even has a lovely wooden plaque to stand on with a brass plate that says Royal Doulton.

What else did Her get?
toolbox
scrapbook and little scrapbooking goodies
whiffer slippers (they smell like strawberries)
gift basket with a chinese tea set and green tea and cookies
Lost by Gregory Maguire
2 J.R. Tolkien books
ROOTS jammies from hubby (and they match my slippers)
clay chiminea. Ours is top, middle - with grapes.
candles
ABBA DVD with all 30 of their music videos
Nelly Furtado's new CD
3 new sweaters
Body Shop goodies

ok, you get the picture. I'm spoiled! Ross has two new outfits from the GAP, from his lovely wife. He looks very.... gappy...hip....

I was going through some old recipes to send to Amber for her family cookbook she's working on. She's compiling all of our favourite recipes and we're each getting a cookbook.

This recipe is from Kim's Cookbook for Young People. I've never made this one, but I know that the recipes in here are really yummy, so it's sure to be a winner!

Eggnog

Beat until stiff but not dry 1 egg white.
In another bowl, beat 1 egg yolk.
To this - add 1 tblsp sugar and 1 cup milk.
Beat until well blended.
Add 1/4 tsp vanilla.
Fold in beaten egg whites. Sprinkle nutmeg on top. (Fresh, grated nutmeg would taste better)
Makes one serving.

Just for Christmas, of course! Love this one. Funky Santa and His Pals Two Hearts Design (very, very cute) Awesome Clipart for Kids