The sniffles, A cold, The flu no its....

Just a few short weeks ago I had a cold with a minor fever (101) so I was calling it a mini-flu, well I guess I never really got over it because the mini flu has turned itself into Pneumonia and under threat of hospitalization, I have been bedridden especially since I have never smoked and I am not of a certain age. The doctor wants to keep an eye on me but not too close of an eye say at the hospital. I was okay with that. This is the first opportunity I have had to get on the computer in days and I thought I would make a quick post.

I am not even at home. My Mom picked up my children and me and took us to her house. She said we'd have better care there. She is right of course.

I have never had Pneumonia before. The pain in your chest is incredible! The codeine laced cough syrup does even take the edge off.

The princess is desperate to pick a winner but since we aren't near the prize and didn't think it fair to pick the winner yet. So since Mother Nature has made me delayed if you want to get in your late entries, be my guest.

Happy Holidays!

Miss Sunshine calls him Pepito and he says, "Merry Christmas, Season Greetings, Happy Hanukkah and Is it snowing yet?" That is all according to Miss Sunshine.

From our family to yours, wishing you a Happy and Healthy Holiday and that your wishes all come true during your holiday season.

Tradition

As most of you know, we don't celebrate Christmas. What is there for us to do during Christmas you might ask? Eat Chinese food and go to the movies. Sounds very stereotypical but, it is actually comically true. My sister and hubby happen to be in town these past few days and leave tomorrow. They came in town so that my sister could go with Miss Sunshine and me to Miss Sunshine's second opinion doctor appointment. The doctor pretty much said the same exact thing.

Anyway, so tonight, we are doing half the tradition, going out for Chinese food. One of my favorite Chinese restaurants too that we wouldn't get to go to on Christmas Day since they are normally closed Christmas day but, since we are going today, they are open. Being that we live near Philadelphia, we have a Chinatown here. Not as nice or large as NYC but still ours and a touch of China. I have been going to this restaurant since I am able to eat solid foods so you can definitely say it is a favorite.

The Princess is going to and she is very excited. She got all dressed up for the occasion.

She and I will do the other half of the tradition on Christmas Day. Perhaps Enchanted or Golden Compass.

What Happens During Winter Vacation

When a Princess and Miss Sunshine start their winter vacation what happens to my computer time? It goes down to practically nothing, that is what happens.

Either we are running around like chickens finishing up some last minute Occupational Therapy and doctor appointments or both of them wrestle it out for the computers.

At least we aren't running around for last minute shopping, LOL

If only I was using the time to knit instead. Well, getting kicked off again!!

Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap Topic of The Week

The Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap Topic of the week....

Last weeks topic, we wanted to know what is your favorite activity during the "Wintery" months. Please post what would be the perfect vacation during the Winter Season? Would rather you head to the beach, to escape all the cold weather or want to pack your ski's and head to the mountains. You tell us what vacation you prefer during the Winter Season.

Okay, this is an easy one. Since I HATE the cold, can't stand the snow, am attempting to stay away from the wind and as my husband would say throwing away good money by turning the heat way up because I am always freezing, I would have to say some where nice and tropical or at least warmer than here.

I am definitely not a beach person, I don't really like the sand getting every where, therefore, I actually think right now, ideally, I could go for San Diego. The temperature tends to stay during the day a nice 70-ish. There is a lot for the girls to see, the Zoo, Sea World, some friends. It is a nice drive up the coast to Los Angeles if we so choose to see some family and it wouldn't be too hot. Yeah, that does sould like a nice trip.

PS. Click here if you are looking for my Blogoversary Contest

Happy Belated Blogoversary!!

Wow, I can't believe it has been two years since I began writing this blog. I started back on December 16, 2005 because a soap friend of mine wanted us to write out our bios and it just turned on a new writing flood for me. Okay, I did have some quiet spells there. What can you say when you have two very active little ones running around.

You all have been with me through a lot this past year and I love you all for that. So, of course, I have a Blogoversary present for one of you!!

With a couple of hanks of my favorite yarn to go with it and of course some of my handmade goodies as well.

Since this is a pattern with my favorite yarn, to earn an entry to win it, just leave a comment with your favorite yarn and a pattern for it as well. Get brownie points for each person you point over here or posting about my Blogoversary on your own blog.

You have till British Boxing Day to enter ;-)

One of my Favorite Literary Character's as Yarn

One of my favorite books to read and one of my favorite made for television mini-series to watch is Pride & Prejudice (not the one with Keira Knightly but the one with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth) by Jane Austen. I like Jane Austen novels, the time period, the romance of it the strong characters and the strong women. I especially love Elizabeth Bennet.

Now I come to find that a company called Yarn Love has dedicated Miss Elizabeth Bennet in Yarn and that The Loopy Ewe has the yarn (click it to go directly to the yarn). Unfortunately for me, of course, although it come in gorgeous colorways, it is made up of 65% Superfine Merino, 20% Bamboo, 15% Silk. Well, 1 out of 3 fibers isn't bad.

Just, please, let me know if any one has a yarn named after Jo March. I think I would be more upset if I couldn't use that yarn. Little Women is STILL my all time favorite book.

Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap Topic of The Week

The Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap Topic of the week....

For many people, Winter is a time of cold weather and snow - and many fun outdoor activities that can only be enjoyed during those times! What's YOUR favorite activity in Winter, and is it even outdoors??

Okay, here is a confession for you, I have lived in the mid-Atlantic states my entire life and I HATE THE SNOW!!!! I hate everything about it. It is cold, it is wet, it makes a mess in my house when the kids and hubby drag their boots back in, I don't like to drive on it and it causes havoc on on the entire town.

I'd really prefer to get back under the covers and stay there till spring and warmer weather but of course that is not an option. So perhaps I will just go visit my sister in Florida but, if she calls me one more time and tells me it is over 80 where she lives I might have to hurt her ;-)

Hanukkah - 8th and final night

Fully lit Hanukkiot or Hanukkah Menorahs will glow brightly tonight. I love the last night of Hanukkah and seeing the entire Menorah lit up. It is so beautiful.

The holiday technically ends tomorrow at sundown since all of our holidays are sundown to sundown, sort of like Christmas which has an "eve" in it but, we don't light candles tomorrow. Tonight is the last time and then we put the menorah, the candles, the dreidels and any decorations away till next year.

We have our huge fun celebration with the kids tonight where I work which should be a ton of fun. My students can't wait.

I hope everyone learned a little something new about Hanukkah this year. Happy holidays. Enjoy your holiday what ever you celebrate and on with the knitting!!!

Hanukkah - 7th Night

I received TWO wonderful gifts in the mail during the Hanukkah holiday.

The first was from my very good knitting friend Anne

She sent some wonderful goodies including something I had never seen before for Hanukkah and I love the concept and some wonderful Cascade Fixation. Is that a hint to knit some Socks? ;-) Also two bath fizzies that Miss Sunshine is desperate to try in her bath. There is also a lovely skein of Natural cotton in a shade of pink that, of course the Princess wants something made for her immediately if not sooner.

Next, I received an AMAZINGLY AWESOME package of goodies from my swap pal in the Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap who did a fantastic job. Katie definitely had a challenge since I am a non-animal fiber knitter, one of my daughter's is allergic to dairy and I don't celebrate Christmas. She wanted to make sure I got my box during my holiday which ends Wednesday and she lives in Canada. Whew, what a tall order but, she came through with flying colors!!!

Is this not an amazing swap package, or what?!? Coffee, chocolate, Hot chocolate, a mug and yarn, yarn and yarn!!! So soft, so colorful so much variety. Soy, cotton and bamboo yarns, all fibers I love to knit with. Oh so yummy!

Thank you to both Anne and Katie for helping to make my Hanukkah all the more special!!

Hanukkah - The 6th Night

Sorry, Miss Sunshine took over the computer all day yesterday and I did not get a chance to post so I will be doing more than one post today.

Speaking of Miss Sunshine, she has a "thing" for fire. When she was a lot younger she was burning on one of the pilots on the stove and definitely doesn't like anything hot near that area. She also still thinks that any time a candle is lit, it is for a birthday and needs to be blown out. See our dilemma?

When we go to light our Menorah, unless we have an extra candle for Miss Sunshine to blow out, we find it very difficult to sing the blessings or light the candles. So, we make sure we have some extra candles around to she can blow them out. She will even say the blessings along with the Princess (or at least pretend to say them) if she knows she can blow a candle out at the end. The Princess likes to hold the candle for her and Miss Sunshine says "amen" and blows it out. I guess a new family tradition is born.

Hanukkah - The 5Th Night

I saw these advertisements recently for my private elementary school. You see, I grew up in West Philadelphia and if you had a choice you absolutely did not go to public school, you went to any kind of private school you could find. We, obviously, are not Catholic, so we went to a Jewish prep school (we actually could have gone Quaker but that thought didn't cross my parents' minds till my sister was ready for school so, she went to a Quaker elementary school instead)

Anyway, back to these advertisements. They make mention how students who go to their schools have better morals and values because of what they are taught there and the last one had this girl with short hair and how she recently donated her hair to a girl who had lost her hair to cancer. It is to get you to think how wonderful of her. I want my children to have the same type of values as this little girl; I want to send my children to the same school.

If I could actually afford it, would I want to send my daughters to this school? Well, yes because it is a Jewish Day school and my Alma Mater but not necessarily because of the values it teaches. Did I not get those from my parents?

It did get me thinking of the Princess' values and all the types of things the Princess has done to give back to the community at her ripe old age of 7, though.

1. She has donated her hair to Locks of Love, twice and at this moment is growing it out to do it a third time
2. She has donated her piggy bank money to MANNA, an organization that provides meals and other specialized services to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illness, every year since she is 4
3. Last year on days that she had vacation but her sister did not she offered to go in and read books to her sister's preschool and wants to do it again this year
4. Every year on her birthday and on Hanukkah she selects one of her new toys and donates it to the Marines Toy Drive
5. Ever since her sister was diagnosed with a mild form of Autism, she has been an immense help to me and help to her sister giving up her own free time most of the time to do it

Did I mention she is only 7?

With all that is going on with Miss Sunshine, I want to take out some time for the Princess and say just how proud I really am of her. I highly doubt it is the values I learned from that school but definitely those I learned from my parents. I am glad to see that it is being passed down to the Princess. She does still fight me, throw her hissy fits and tantrums but, there are still good values and a very good 'Neshuma' soul sprouting and growing inside of her. She truly is becoming a wonderful young lady.

A New Swap, How Can I Resist?

A yummy Hot Cocoa Swap is on its way! Hosted by the ever warm Michelle and Lesley. Sign ups begin on December 16Th!! The swap runs from January 1st (who can think about January?!?!?!) till February 28Th (do they know that 2008 is a leap year and therefore February actually has 29 days?!)

As I type this, watching it snow flurry outside and drink some Hershey's white chocolate hot cocoa... I can't wait!!

Hanukkah - The 4th Night

Miss Sunshine got her medical assistance card for Hanukkah yesterday!!! It was a HUGE sigh of relief around here!! We can now, hopefully really get the ball rolling on some of her treatment and get some of these medical bills paid. Don't get me wrong, our regular insurance is good but, with a co-payment 3-4 times a week it does add up.

Today we are going to get Miss Sunshine's speech and language evaluation done. I am very happy we finally have an actually date for the the thing because the center keep on calling back and changing it. I actually began to feel bad for the coordinator because it wasn't her fault. At least she got us an appointment closer to our home instead of one where we'd have to drive close to an hour away like our original appointment.

So something light and fun for Hanukkah today. The original Adam Sandler Hanukkah Song.

Hanukkah 3rd Night

We got a dusting of snow with our second night of Hanukkah. Both girls were very excited for that. Mom, not so excited. This morning of course it is a sheet of ice out there and both Mom and Miss Sunshine are buckets of snot - sorry to be gross.

Today might be a Hot chocolate, curl up in bed, knit and watch movies kind of day for the two of us.

How to Light A Menorah (The Hanukkah Candelabra)

Things You'll Need
Candles
Menorahs (Has 9 places for candles)
Matches

Step One
Place the menorah in a central spot in your home where all who pass can see its glow.

Step Two
Recite the following blessing at nightfall on the first day of Hanukkah before you light the candle on the far right: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah."

Step Three
Light the shamash, or service candle, and then use it to light the candle, or oil wick, on the far right of the menorah. As you do so, say the following: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, at this season, in days past." Replace the shamash in its holder and let both candles glow until they burn themselves out.

Step Four
Add the following shehechiyanu blessing only on the first night of Hanukkah: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who gave us life and kept us and delivered us to this time." (You can say this blessing at anything actually during the first of many events. When you give birth, child first walks, made it through a tough time, etc.)

Step Five
Light two candles on the second night, keeping in mind that you always light from left to right using the shamash.

Step Six
Continue with three candles on the third night in the same manner, and continue doing this each night until, on the eighth night, all eight candles are burning brightly (nine, including the shamash). On each night, repeat the first two blessings quoted above.

The menorah should be filled from right to left, but the candles lighted from left to right.

The placement of the shamash can vary with different menorahs, but it will be set apart in some way. It may be in the center of the menorah, or it may be raised above the others.

On Friday, light the candles before sunset to avoid lighting on the Sabbath.

As you do with all lighted candles, keep these ones away from highly flammable objects and well beyond the reach of small children.

2nd Night of Hanukkah

Were you wondering what the girls received last night? ;-) They received their gifts from their paternal grandmother and paternal great Aunt. They got some Magical School Bus books and movies, Shrek 3 and a few other videos. We did light candles and Miss Sunshine thought it was a birthday party and attempted to blow them out.

What did I get you ask? A nasty cold!! I am so congested it isn't even funny. Plus the chills and the chance of snow tonight does not warm the spirit. YUCK!

Perhaps I will make Latkes (Potato pancakes) tonight

2 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
1 tablespoon grated onion
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or matzah meal
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup peanut oil

Wring out all the excess water and starch from the potatoes

In a medium bowl stir the potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and salt together.

In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil until hot. Place large spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil, pressing down on them to form 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick patties. Brown on one side, turn and brown on the other. Let drain on paper towels. Serve hot!

Easy enough and you can enjoy with sour cream or apple sauce

Happy Hanukkah - 1st Night

First Night of Hanukkah is tonight and the girls are soo excited!! Here is a little something for you, since I get asked this all the time.

HOW TO PLAY DREIDEL

There is a long tradition of playing games of chance during the evenings of the holiday.

The Dreidel is a four sided top printed with the Hebrew letters:

These letters represent the words "nes godal hayah sham" and translate into
A Great Miracle Happened There.

Also the numbers in add up to

Nun = 50, Gimmel = 3, Hey = 5, Shin = 300 which equals 358.

Remarkably, this is equivalent to the exact numerical value for the word
"Moshiach" (Messiah).

Mem = 40, Shin = 300, Yud = 10, Chet = 8 which equals
358.

The Rules of the Game:

Everyone in the game starts with 10-15 tokens (gold foil chocolate coins,
nuts, raisins, pennies). Each player puts one of these into the middle (called
the pot). The dreidel is spun by one player at a time. Whether he wins or
loses depends on which face of the dreidel is up when it falls.

Nun
means nisht or "nothing." Player does nothing.

Gimmel
means gantz or "all." Player takes everything in the pot.

Hey
means halb or "half." Player takes half of what is in the pot.

Shin
means shtel or "put in." Player adds two objects to the pot.

When only one object or none is left in the pot, every player adds one. When
an odd number of objects are in the pot, the player rolling heh, "half" takes
half the total plus one. When one person has won everything the game is over.

Have Fun!!

A Hat Fit For A Princess

Begun and finished during my two day craft show. Am I a fast knitter or was it a very slow craft show? Hmmm..... (not the best picture but if not now, I will forget)

Of course the Princess LOVES the hat and since she went with me today, as soon as I finished it and the place we were was VERY cold, she put it on ASAP and was sporting it. A few ladies that had spaces there around me were telling me that for next year I should sell some hats and matching scarves or mittens too. Food for thought but not so sure. I did sell a few soap bags and wash clothes though :-D

Well, back to the Sigma and baby knitting.....