Finished Object: Baby Blanket!

Can't believe I forgot to post about this!! After months of knitting and deadlines popping up in the mean time, I finally finished the baby blanket for my friend! And just in time, too, as is fitting for all baby-related knitting. Everyone knows that babies can't be born until the knitting is finished.... or that's what we tell ourselves. :)

One finished baby blanket -- just in time!

I think it turned out quite beautifully, if I do say so myself! I picked this free pattern up from a Jo-Ann's display on a trip back home toward the end of summer. I loved knitting this pattern. Intricate enough to keep my attention, but simple enough that I had it memorized a few repeats in. And well-written. Who doesn't love a well-written pattern??

Here's the link if you'd like to knit it yourself: Little Girl Pink Baby Blanket.

The Rav page, for those interested in additional project notes, suggestions, etc.

I've got a few more big knitting projects coming up, but nothing that's officially cast on. In the mean time, we're focusing on some UFOs that I owe brother-the-younger. I'll just say this: I'm thankful it's been a mild winter so far. :)

"Brown paper packages tied up with strings...."

I should be working on homework and outlining my exams. However, I have decided to take this moment to share with you all some lovely items I received in the mail this past week! Seriously, it was one of the best weeks ever for mail. :)

First of all, I shipped off this lovely box to the west coast. The swap I participated in on Rav is now over, so I can share some of the lovely things I did for that! I was so excited about sending this box off to my swap partner, and I am happy to report that she LOVED it! Yay!!

Awesome swap package for my new friend! Including some yummy Malabrigo, Cascade 200, coffee, cappuccino, apple butter, homemade soap (not by me, though!), a coffee mug, chocolates, fuzzy socks, and stitch markers!

Here's a close up of the stitch markers I made for her! I love them, and think they turned out great! M actually helped me with them as I put them together while she was visiting. I feel so crafty!

I'm really glad my swap partner enjoyed receiving her box... I'll be honest. I really wanted to keep that Malabrigo for myself, but I'm also glad to have shared it with her. I guess it just means another trip to the yarn store to see if they have anymore in stock!

But what fun is a swap if you don't get anything back?? I also received a wonderfully awesome box from my swap partner the other day in the mail! I was so excited about everything she included- it's just perfect! She included a cowl pattern and skein of chunky Montana yarn for the pattern- it's so soft and wooly! There was some local coffee, a variety of teas, mini tea tongs (ingenious!), handmade coffee cozies, a bookmark, chocolates, a mini notebook, and some sticky notes that say "Given enough coffee, I could rule the world!" So perfect!

It was such a fun, yarn-filled week. But that's not all! I also received a surprise package from my dear friend the Historian. The Historian and I went to college together, and she is one of the best package givers I know! She put together a President's Day package for me, complete with cherries (Washington!), Presidential flash cards, coloring pages!, chocolates, conversation jelly beans!, and a Hello Kitty valentine. <3  Her wonderful package definitely brightened my day, and made the looming exams not so stressful.

Tonight I enjoyed the much needed companionship of two new friends of mine. There's something about bonding over a cup of coffee that really does the heart good. :) And with that.... we're back to our usual weekend activities of homework and exams. I'll be so glad when March rolls around and life will somewhat return to normal (for school anyway!).

Yippee!

SO many good things happening today. I'm loving it!

In Which There is Domestic Success!

Friends. I've been having some wonderful domestic success lately. I wanted to share a few awesome things that came out of my kitchen.

Spaghetti Pizza Pie- YUM.

First, I made this delicious Spaghetti Pizza Pie for both some friends of ours and us. It was WONDERFUL. I had been hungry for something casserole, something cheesy, but nothing chicken. I know. Since when am I not hungry for chicken?! Anyway, spaghetti pizza pie is one of my favorite comfort foods, and this recipe is definitely a keeper. (Our friends also asked me for the recipe, which reminds me I should write it out and give it to them.....)

A few nights ago, D had evening meetings and I was on my own for dinner. Again. I wanted mac and cheese, but knew I should eat something a little healthier than that. I'm not sure if this fit the bill for healthier, but it's very tasty. I got the idea for this recipe off Pinterest, but didn't have the beef, so I substituted ham instead. Once it was in the oven, it smelled so delicious, and it's definitely cheesy and tasty! Not bad for throwing something together at 7:15 pm.

Finally. As we all know, it's Super Bowl Sunday. Last year we watched the game with some friends of ours and our hostess made a super tasty buffalo chicken dip. I'm not sure where she got the recipe from, but it's different than what I've found on the hot sauce bottles. And friends, it's good. This year as we're in a new town with new friends, I decided to carry on her tradition and make the dip for our gathering today. So last night I made the dip and had to resist eating half of it. [Besides, if I had actually eaten half the dip, I probably would have burned my tongue off. Not that it's super hot, but there's definitely a kick to it.] Unfortunately, making this dip required a trip to the store for a BRAND NEW CROCK POT! My 7 quart is way too big for the amount of dip-- it would look almost empty. :(

Behold: my cute, new 2 quart crock pot!

2 quart crock pot, buffalo chicken dip not included.

I'm one of those people to get overly excited about new kitchen gadgets and appliances. I know; I'm strange. And I'm ok with that. I'm just excited that I still enjoy cooking after almost 8 months and am actually pretty decent at it. ;) Although, I must give D credit- he made an awesome chicken piccata last night for dinner.

Here's hoping for a good game, fun time with friends, and tasty food this evening!