November

To say that November is a busy month for us is an understatement.  My birthday was earlier this month and Andy took the day off to spend with me.  We went out for a wonderful lunch and then went to a few shops to look at Christmas decorations and pick up a few things for the kitchen.  You know you are getting older when kitchen accessories are what does it for you! 

Since I have severe food allergies it's nearly impossible to get a cake or baked goods from a bakery or grocery store.  I decided that I really wanted chocolate cupcakes with butter cream frosting.  Every time Ive attempted to make cupcakes they are a complete failure.  This time I managed to have success and they were quite good.  The recipe is from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. 

Then of course, we had Thanksgiving.  Rob and Shannon came over and hung out for the day.  They worked on refinishing a chest and then came in and helped with dinner.  For the past few years we have had our Thanksgiving on Monday since Andy has the week off.  We then get to have turkey all week long and not have to worry with cooking. 

Earlier this year I won a book naming contest on Veryl Ann Graces blog.  I was so excited that she chose the title that I had come up with!  Last week a signed copy of Murder Comes Unraveled arrived in our mail box.  I loved the first book in this series, Murder Spins a Tale, and the second one is equally as good!  When I opened the book, I was so surprised to see that Veryl had mentioned me in the dedication.  I am so honored and was quite speechless!  Thank you so much Veryl.  Not only do I get to read another wonderful book written by you, but I will have this very special copy too!

 

 

 

 

Ive also had knitting time and am now up to 198 Hexipuffs!  Ive recently coerced Beth into making them as well.  I can't wait to see her's.  She's such a prolific knitter, I bet her quilt will be done in no time!

 





 

Ravellenic Gold

67 Hexipuff's knitted during the Ravellenic Games!

More Fun Than a Barrel of Monkeys (or so you would think)

We have been going non stop this year on our house.  In February we replaced the flooring in the great room, hallway and the two main floor bedrooms.  It's worked out beautifully - easy to clean and maintain.  It's much better for our allergies than the wall to wall carpet that we removed. 

Next Andy enclosed the fence like railing around the stairwell:

Before

After

We began work on the stairs by removing the carpet to see what was under it.  It was a combination of stair treads (good) and plywood (not so good).  Andy replaced the plywood, rebuilt the corner steps, added trim around the edges and wainscoting risers.  I'm the painter in the process.  I come from a family of very talented artists and am glad to be able to use my limited painting skills for some good!

Then we added a shelf under the bar area of the counter that divides the great room from the kitchen.

Most recently we have begun refacing our cabinets.  While it does take a bit of time, refacing isn't really hard to do.  Andy added wainscoting and trim to the existing door fronts.  We updated the knobs and hinges and Ive painted the insides to give everything a clean and uniform look.  Right now all of the lower cabinets are complete.  This weekend we will begin on the upper cabinets.  Here are a few progress pictures.

Sanded, washed and primed

Finished!

 

 We added sliding racks to make access easier.

Before

After

The trim underneath still needs to be painted.  I think I will do that last since I still need to paint the trim in the dining room.

PS  Im up to 148 hexipuffs!!

 













129

129

I think it's safe to say I haven't been knitting much of anything else recently! 

And now for the weather.  Back to you Tiffany...

Hexipuffs

I have been  knitting crack hexipuffing all weekend.  There are 49 of them done now.  I seriously need some help because I can't seem to stop knitting them.

They are cute, fun and quick to knit.  I knew I had been saving sock and fingering yarn left overs for a reason. 

Even the bunny likes them.