Happy Holidays

Homemade Holiday

That's the kind I like best !

And it seems to be the trend in our office gift-giving, too. It's so much fun to

come up with new, creative, and frugal homemade gifts each year . . .

and to see what everyone else comes up with, too !

This year I've gotten homemade jams, jellies, caramel corn,

oreo bark, chocolate pops, and so on . . . great ideas !!

So here's my 2011 homemade nifty-gifty . . .

SO GOOD !!!

Only 12 more months to come up with next year's gifts . . . !!!

Fairy Lights & The Scent Of Pine

Because My Dad's Tired Of The Purple String

So I'll give ya some gray "string" instead !!

Just a fun little hat, fresh off the needles, on its way as a Christmas gift !!!

Ode To Stars Hollow

" I don't even like kids. They're always sticky like they've got jam on

their hands. Even if there's no jam in the house, somehow, they've always

got jam on their hands ! I'm not the right guy to deal with that.

I have no patience for jam hands ! "

- Luke on "Gilmore Girls", getting ready for his 17 year-old

nephew to come live with him

I miss "Gilmore Girls" . . . such a great show !

And that was just one of the countless lines that made me laugh !

So when I picked out new yarn in a shade of plum . . .

I started thinking of jam . . .

and that line jumped into my head !!

And the "Jam Hands" sweater is on its way !!!

Brie For Me !

It's finally done . . .

. . . and ready to wear !!!

Bring on the cool (just cool . . . not cold !) weather !!!

Behold, The Leaf Conqueror !

Where'd October Go ?

"Fallen leaves lying on the grass in the November

sun bring more happiness than the daffodils"

- Cyril Connolly -

Hello, November !!!!

I Finally Found My Cottage Industry

Short & Dark

These days, that would be my nails.

It seems that with all of the showers, dinners, weddings, and

brunches this summer (I dubbed it the "summer of the dress",

since I've never worn dresses so frequently !),

I rediscovered a bit of my girly-girl side !

More dresses have appeared in my wardrobe:

they're feminine . . . they hide a multitude of flaws

. . . and with a great pair of heels, they make me feel a little fierce !!!!

And after having a pre-wedding manicure in July,

I was reminded how great just a little color & shine can make you feel !

So most days now, my digits are sporting a

little extra oomph (DIY, of course !) . . . and I'm loving it !

(And it's not all dark colors . . . there are light shades, too !)

Happy (girly-girl) Monday !

OK, Pumpkin !

It's October, and that means pumpkin recipes !!!! Yay !

Last night I tried this new one:

Cheese Ravioli with Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

YUM !!! It was surprisingly light, with just a hint of pumpkin flavor

. . . great comfort food !!

Find the recipe here . . . and enjoy !!!

All About The Benjamin's

(My nephew Ben & Benjamin Bunny)

Happy Monday !

I Got Nothin'

Nothing new, exciting, or blog-worthy . . . but all's well !

Just a picture of an everyday moment . . .

(this is how I hold Leo while Jack gives him

his pills & eye drops . . . it's a team effort !)

Happy Monday !

What Retirement Will Look Like

CP & B

As in Cracked Pepper & Brie.

That's what popped into my head when I picked out

new yarn in a color called Cracked Pepper.

It instantly reminded me of college . . .

how my friends and I would occasionally have "fancy" snacks:

cracked pepper crackers with spreadable brie

(thank you, Allyson, for providing the yums !) . . .

and how that somehow made me feel a bit sophisticated !!!

Thus, we have the "Brie" sweater in the works !

This sweater will be anything but sophisticated . . .

just a nice, simple pullover with a bit of a cowl neck . . .

in a lovely gray perfect for fall & winter (eeek . . . even to say that word !)

To sweet memories and simple sweaters !!!

Happy Monday !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Just a few pictures taken this past Saturday while we were in Rockport, MA . . .

Always beautiful !!!!

Happy Monday !

Quiet On The Homefront

14

August 9, 1997

July 15, 2011

Pom-Pom Tails & Life Lessons

I always have a picture in my mind of how I want a knitting project (or any project !) to turn out . . . and this little guy was no exception ! I rarely knit things for other people (don't necessarily want to push my hobby and taste on everyone else !) . . . but this is my first time becoming an aunt, and I HAD to make something for my yet-to-arrive nephew !!!

This knitting project was new and fun . . . and frustrating !! I just couldn't get the sweater the way I'd envisioned it !!! I tried several different techniques and asked one of my knitting/seamstress co-workers for suggestions . . . but in the end, I had to punt !

And you know what ???!!

I'm really happy with the way it turned out !

So here he is . . . . Benjamin Bunny !

(named in honor of my nephew Benjamin !)

I just love that little face . . . and his pom-pom tail, too !

So I guess my yarn reminded me of a little life lesson:

things may not turn out like you'd envisioned,

but you might just end up appreciating & loving the result that much more !!!

Sunny Summer Saturday

Farmers market . . . kitties sunning on the porch . . .

homemade gazpacho . . . .

PERFECTION !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Just a cute little video I first saw on a favorite knitting blog . . .

"All you need is a girlfriend to get you started . . . !"

Happy Monday !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Another "Matrimony Monday" today . . .

. . . Don't those smiles just say it all ???!?!!!!

Congratulations Laura & Jonny !!!!

(cutest t-shirts ever !)

Happy Monday !!!

Bun-Bun's Galore

When I was little, neighbors of ours had a pet rabbit named Bun-Bun.

And ever since, I've always referred to all rabbits as Bun-Bun !!!!

A few of them have been hanging around lately . . .

This guy seems to have made our yard his breakfast stop !

I'm not sure who enjoys watching him more: the cats or me !!!

And this little guy finally has all of his pieces put together . . .

. . . he just needs a tail (of course !) and a special sweater, and he's all done

(we'll properly introduce him once he's all finished !) !!!

"There goes Peter cottontail . . . !"

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

The smile of a groom catching sight of her . . .

. . . the smile of a beautiful bride . . .

. . . the smiles of the newly-declared Mr. & Mrs. . . . .

The best kind of smiles !!!

Congratulations Rick & Jessica !!!!

Happy (matrimony) Monday !!

Little Helpers

So glad I busted my butt last night, cleaning and

laundering the guest bedroom things in preparation for guests . . .

only to find this scene this morning:

Crazy cats !!! They must think I did the clean-up just for them !!!

We Love Lazy Sunday's

Bits & Pieces

The knitting continues here at the Warren homestead . . . .

. . . but something a little different from my usual projects . . .

. . . something little for a little person (I'm not telling what it is, though !) !

Look out . . . Aunt Melissa's fingers are a flyin' !!!!

Hope it all turns out as cute as the picture in my mind

(and in time for my nephew's arrival) !!

Stay tuned !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

"I don't think any day is worth living without thinking

about what you're going to eat next at all times."

- Nora Ephron -

Another yummy recipe . . . Oreo cheesecake bars !!!!

Happy (sweet tooth) Monday !!!!